SYNOPSIS

the operator and the owner/passenger, were operating a jet ski in Brantley Lake State Park. They Launched the jet ski from Champion Cove outside of Brantley Lake State Park boundaries. The jet ski stopped functioning while in the middle of the lake. Wind speeds began to increase, causing large waves up to two feet in height. This caused Occupant to fall from the jet ski at approximately 1345 hours. He attempted to swim to shore and has not been seen or located since. Water temperatures near the surface were approximately 43 degrees Fahrenheit. Neither operator nor Occupant were wearing personal flotation devices, and none of the required safety equipment was located on the jet ski. Occupant has not been located. Search efforts ceased by Eddy County Sheriff's Office, NM State Police, NM State Parks, and Carlsbad Fire Department on February 7, 2023. NM State Parks Staff will continue to search the shorelines in the future. No citations issued. 

They arrived at Brantley Lake at approximately 1218 hours. They attempted to launch the vessel from Champion Cove outside of Brantley Lake State Park boundaries. The jet ski would not start. They electrically jumped it with their vehicle. When it started, they jumped on Vessel A and drove out onto the lake. He said they left their PFDs in the truck. Operator said he and Occupant switched on and off operating the vessel. After a few minutes they were going to return to their vehicle to get their life jackets. 

When they turned around the vessel stopped functioning. He said the battery was clicking while trying to start the vessel. He believed that because the battery was clicking, the vessel possibly had a vapor lock issue preventing it from starting again. Note that the vessel has not been mechanically diagnosed. While drifting in the lake Operator and Occupant attempted to repair and get the vessel to operate. 

While trying to get the vessel started Operator said the wind began to increase in speed. The wind was blowing from the southwest/west at 15 to 25 mph and the water temperature was approximately 43 degrees Fahrenheit. Operator said the waves almost made the vessel capsized causing his brother Occupant to fall overboard at approximately 1345 hours. Operator was able to stay aboard because he held onto the handlebars of the vessel. He said Occupant told him he would swim to shore and attempted to throw Operator his shirt. He said he began to swim west towards the apparent nearest shoreline, and not back towards Champion Cove. Operator said after a few minutes he could hear Occupant calling for help. Operator said he began to yell too and get the attention of people on shore, but at that point there were a long way out. Operator said he told Occupant not to swim to shore; that it was too cold, but Occupant said he was going to. Operator said once his brother fell, he decided to go. Operator set a waypoint on OnyX maps showing where he believed they were on the lake when Occupant fell off Vessel A. 

Once Operator landed on the east shoreline, he ran to the campground and requested to use the phone of the campers of Limestone Campground. At approximately 1417 hours NM State Park personnel were contacted. At approximately 1425 hours, he contacted his father.

 I asked Operator if he or Occupant had ever taken a boating safety course in New Mexico. He replied no, and I explained to him that it is required to operate a personal watercraft in New Mexico if a person is born after January 1, 1989. I explained to him that if he wants to operate in the future, he will need to take that course, and that the parks offer the courses in person and online. I next asked Operator if he knew what safety equipment was on Vessel A. Operator replied that he knew there is a fire extinguisher compartment, but he did not know what equipment was on board. He said earlier that he and Occupant left their wallets in the compartment on Vessel A. Operator said that he had not consumed alcoholic beverages that day. 

Operator said his brother Occupant was wearing a gray longsleeve t-shirt, jeans, and was not wearing shoes. Occupant was 6'3", dark blond hair, hazel eye color, and weighs 180 lbs. Note: Occupant attempted to throw Operator his shirt prior to attempting to swim to shore. 

On 2/06/2023, I returned to Brantley Lake at approximately 1000 hours to assist in the search of Occupant. Park Superintendent also came to Brantley Lake with his vessel equipped with sonar to assist in the search. 

The NM State Police Dive team dove several times on February 6 and 7, 2023, on possible anomalies scanned by sonar. None were successful. Search efforts ceased by Eddy County Sheriff's Office, NM State Police, NM State Parks, and Carlsbad Fire Department on February 7, 2023. NM State Parks staff will continue to search the shoreline in the future.

No citations were issued for this incident.
Brantley Lake
Carlsbad                      