RedactedNarrative: On 07/01/2017 at 1739 hours, I was dispatched to the area of Horse Shoe Bend Lake Oconee (Putnam County) in reference to a boating incident. Upon my arrival, I observed a Bennington Pontoon Boat capsized. (Georgia Registration Number GA 0249 KX). The eight occupants of the above vessel were removed from the water and transported by another vessel.
  
  I spoke to the operator. Operator stated the boating party left the jumping rock area of the lake when he could tell the vessel struck something under the water. Operator advised he drove the vessel to the incident location and as the vessel began to slow, the driver's side right (of the vessel) began to sink. Operator did state the boating party was able to retrieve their life jackets and exit the vessel before it capsized.  Operator informed me the vessel was rented from Typhoon Tommy's Rental, located at Cuscowilla and that he was on the rental agreement to operate the above vessel. Operator was requested to perform a series of test to determine his level of intoxication. As he agreed, I performed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus tests.  Operator showed no sign of impairment. 
  
  	The business owner of the vessel, with Typhoon Tommy's, arranged Sea Tow to respond to the incident location to remove the wrecked vessel and tow it to Great Water's Marina for lake removal. On 07/02/2017 at approximately 1300 hours, I met with employees of Sea Tow to remove the above vessel. The vessel was flipped right side up and inflatable bags were placed under the damaged toon to level/stabilize the vessel. Once the vessel was somewhat level, the forklift at Great Waters was used to retrieve the pontoon from the lake. Several hours along with multiple employees were used to perform this task. Once the vessel was lifted out of the water, I inspected both toons for damage and/or defects. 
  
  As the starboard side toon was inspected, I observed a large hole underneath the toon with wood particles located in the collapsed part of the toon. This damage was consistent with the striking of standing/submerged timber. I observed in the area (in front) of the damaged part of the toon, where the tree top slid down the toon (cleaning the scum) before striking the welded seam of the toon. As the tree top struck the toon's welded seam, the toon was pierced by the tree top. I observed no other defects to either toon of the above vessel. The above vessel was secured by Great Water's Marina. The area of the jumping rock was inspected for buoy's that mark the standing timber and it was marked adequately.    
  
  My investigation revealed, the operator of the above vessel, Operator was at fault due to failing to keep a proper look out for lake hazards and operator inexperience.
  