On 6/5/2023 I Wildlife Officer had received a call from Hamilton County 911 that there was a single vessel that had the occupant of that vessel in the water and unable to get back in. The incident was advised by dispatch to be near the Skull Island campground on Chickamauga Lake. After arriving on scene, I had observed one white vessel, partially submerged being towed in to the Skull Island Boat Ramp. 

Dispatch had already advised me that all occupants were accounted for and there were no parties currently missing. Once all vessels arrived at the boat ramp I was able to speak with the operator of the vessel who had stated that he was the sole occupant on the vessel. 

He had stated to me that while testing the vessel out he had got the vessel to a speed close to 20 miles per hours heading towards the main river channel. 

He then had began to make a turn towards the right hand side when the transom had separated from the gunwales of the hull. Water had begun to rush into the vessel and the sole occupant of the vessel was forced to jump out of the vessel. The operator was the sole occupant in the vessel and was not injured during the incident.
CHICKAMAUGA RESERVOIR
HARRISON                      