RedactedNarrative: On Saturday June 29, 2019 at approximately 0830 hours, I, Cpl. was notified by Georgia State Patrol (GSP) dispatch of a vessel fire on Lake WF George. I arrived on scene at 1015 hours and the owner / operator of the vessel had already left the scene. The vessel was found about one hundred yards from the boat landing at Pataula Creek Park, in Pataula Creek. I spoke to the vessel owner by phone. 
  
  Owner said he was launching his vessel when he backed into some rocks at the landing. Owner said the vessel backfired and caught fire. The vessel has an inboard motor. Owner said he had been working on the motor and brought it to the lake to try it out. Owner said when the vessel caught fire he hit the onboard fire extinguishing system, but it did not work. Owner jumped out of the vessel and swam to shore. Owner’s vessel floated about one hundred yards west of the landing and came to rest against some trees in the water. The vessel burned to the water line and then sank. 
  
     I explained to Owner he was responsible for removing the vessel from the water way and he said he would take care of it. The vessel was a total lost and Owner did not have insurance on it.
  
     This is a true and accurate account of this incident based on statements from those involved and knowledge acquired through investigation. Facts and opinion contained in this report are based solely on information available at the time and may change upon the discovery of new evidence or information.
  
  