RedactedNarrative: We received a call in reference to an overturned boat below the Georgia Power Dam. Dougherty County 911 advised there were four people in the boat prior to it being overturned but now two of the subjects were sitting on top of the overturned boat and two subjects were missing.
   	Once Cpl and I arrived at the Dam, we interviewed witnesses and learned the overturned boat actually passed through an opened gate of the Dam. Witnesses stated that four subjects suddenly appeared in the tailrace and quickly floated down stream, along with their boat, before making it to shore. The occupants of the boat were a family of four and all four subjects were pulled from the river by fishermen along the riverbank. One witness stated all four subjects were able to walk up the river bank and requested a ride back to their truck which was parked at Cleve Cox Boat Ramp. He also stated the subjects did not appear to be seriously injured.
  	Operator stated he was operating his boat, going to Cleve Cox Boat Ramp when he decided to give his family a closer look at the dam. As they approached the dam, on the right side (starboard side) of his boat, he maneuvered his boat to run parallel with the dam. When they got close to the opened gates, he stated the current was unbelievably strong, so he tried to power out of it. As a result, the front (bow) of the boat turned directly toward the dam, causing them to strike the dam on the right side of the boat, midway down the boat. When they struck the dam, the impact caused their weight to shift to the left side (port side) of the boat, causing the boat to take on water. The vortex from the water eventually pulled the boat and his family through the gate and sent them down stream. Operator stated his children were wearing their personal flotation devices but he and his wife were not. When all of them made it out of the water, he asked a fisherman who was helping them out of the river to give him a ride back to their truck. Operator stated he was glad to still have his family and wanted to get them home where they felt safe.
  	The following morning, at approximately 0800 hours, Sergeant and I inspected the area where Operator approached the Dam. We observed five buoy markers with a crossed diamond symbol (indicating danger) approximately 200 yards from the Dam. There were also two signs on the Dam with the same symbol displaying “Danger Dam”. After conducting the investigation, it was clear Operator chose to ignore the buoys and signs.