On 4/21/2023 I Game Warden First(GWFC) Class with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division(DNRLED) was notified of a boating incident at Lake Chatuge Marina on Lake Chatuge.  Once I arrived on scene at approximately 14:00 hours I was met by an employee of Lake Chatuge Marina. The employee was a witness to the incident and begin to fill me in on what had happened. 

Subject stated that a customer who rented a boat from the marina was backing out of the boat slip, and when he went forward hit serval boats causing damage to the motor covers.  Subject tried helping Operator1 get away from the boat dock, but Operator1 kept going forward and backwards striking the same boats.  Once Operator1 was clear of boats and the dock he left the marina on the rental boat.  Operator1's rental agreement was up at 16:00 hours so while I waited for him to return I took pictures of the damage, and watched the camera recording of the incident. When Operator1 returned to the marina I asked him to explain what had happened. Operator1 stated that he thought he had backed far enough to clear the dock and boats, and when he started going forward the wind kept blowing the boat into the dock and other boats. Estimated cost of the damage to all boats was $5,771.43. Attached in the report is Subject witness statement, pictures of the damage, and costs of damage to all boats. No further action was taken.

Lake Chatuge
HIAWASSEE                     