On July 25, 2023, I, GWFC, along with GWFC, received a complaint of a boating incident at approximately 09:45 AM from the Hart County Sheriff’s Office dispatch.  The Hart County dispatch stated that there were no injuries and gave me a location.  The incident occurred on Lake Hartwell around the Long Point area.  They also gave me a number to call.  I called the number that I was given and spoke with a subject who gave me some more information about the incident.  Given the location, phone service was not great, and we were a good distance from the scene.  I gathered what information I could, and we responded to the scene. 

We arrived at Powderbag Ramp on Lake Hartwell at approximately 10:27 AM.  This was the location that I was given from the subject I called.  I called the subject back and learned that he was a friend of the subject involved in the boating incident.  Having better phone service, it was determined that the boats and the individuals involved were at Long Point Ramp.  We headed in that direction.  

We arrived at the ramp, and I made sure that both boats and their operators were present.  We spoke with the operator of Boat 1.  Operator1 stated that he was fishing in a tournament qualification and was headed to another spot.  He stated that he was cruising about 45-50 mph.  He stated that he was looking to his left because he thought he saw other boats that he knew, turned his head straight and Boat 2 was right in front of him.  

He stated that he turned his boat hard left to avoid the collision.  He stated that he never saw Boat 2 until the last moment and that if he wouldn’t have turned then he would have killed the other person.  He stated that the impact ejected him from his boat.  

I asked if he was wearing a life jacket and he stated that he was.  He showed it to me, and it was inflated.  I made sure that he did not need any medical assistance and he stated that did not.  I got what personal and boat information needed from him.  I also got pictures of his boat and his track from his onboard GPS unit.  

We then spoke to the operator of Boat 2.  Operator2 stated that he was headed to another location to fish and come off plane, indicating that he was traveling 10-15 mph.  He stated that he looked and noticed a boat coming his way but lost sight of it in his peripheral.  He stated that thought he was out of the other boats path.  He stated that he felt water splash him and then was hit.  He said the impact drove him into the steering wheel of his boat.  

Operator2 was sure that he was not paying attention.  Operator2 even stated that if Operator1 had not turned his boat hard to the left, that he would have killed him.  I asked Operator2 if he was wearing a life jacket and he said he was not.  

I got what personal and boat information that I needed from him.  He asked if he could remove his boat from the water and I told him that it was good to do so.  After he pulled his boat out, I got more pictures of the damage to the boat and also got a picture of his GPS tracks.  

On July 26, 2023, I spoke with both individuals.  Both indicated that they had went to the emergency room for the injuries sustained the previous day.  Operator1 sent me his documents supporting that he was treated, and I made arrangements to meet Operator2 the following day to retrieve his.  

On July 27, 2023, I, along with GWFC met with Operator2 in reference to discuss what was determined in the investigation of the boating incident.  I got the medical information about him going to the emergency room.  We talked about the investigation.  I issued Operator2 a citation for Violating Rules of the Road.  He was not accepting of the citation and we explained it the best we could to him.  Operator2 asked me if it was his fault and I stated that it was.  He could…
Lake Hartwell
HARTWELL                      