I, Game Warden with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division (GADNRLE) responded with Game Wardens to a vessel in distress at approximately 0830 hours on September 3rd, 2023. Upon arrival we were notified by United States Coast Guard (USCG) that the boat was located at McQueen’s Inlet and three individuals abandoned ship and swam to the beach to wait for rescue. When we arrived on scene, we saw three individuals on the beach with one USCG rescue swimmer. We pulled our boat up to the beach to get the individuals into our boat. Once in the boat we drove them back to Waterways Marina. At Waterways Marina each induvial wrote a witness statement.  The statements will be typed below. Sea Tow recovered the boat the same day and the adjuster said the boat was a total loss.
  
“Left Waterways Marina at 6:30am heading to McQueen’s. Bumped bottom in the inlet and took waves from the back. Boat took on too much water, so we walked to the sandbar and waited for help. Arrived back at Waterway by DNR around 10:20 am.”
 
“Approximately departed Waterways Marina at 6:30 am heading to McQueen to fish. Upon arrival track was bad. Hit bottom and started taking on water over back and sides. Sent SOS then departed boat and waited for Coast Guard.”

“Departed Waterways Marina at 6:45am heading to get bait shrimp at Kilkenny Marina and then to McQueen Inlet. Upon approach of McQueen Inlet, we ran aground.  After attempting to back off the bar the motor stalled causing us to be lodged aground. Boat began taking on water from waved over the side and back. The crew put on life jackets and abandoned ship before the boat capsized. We waded to a sandbar north of inlet where we were rescued by USCG/GADNR.”

Tidal Cree (VI)
RICEBORO                      