On February 22, 2023 at approximately 10:15 a.m. I, Game Warden with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, received a call from Corporal stating that there was a boating incident in progress at Keg Creek. Corporal stated that the two individuals onboard were safe, and no other persons were onboard. Columbia County Fire Rescue Captain was on scene as well and had a boat launched. Corporal was able to get onboard with Columbia County Fire Rescue to assess the scene.

I ensured that there were no immediate medical emergencies and that there were no more passengers in the water or onboard the sunken vessel.

 I asked the owner of the vessel if he knew what caused the vessel to take on water. Owner stated that the plug must have come out at some point. Both victims stated that their voyage was less than an hour and noticed the boat starting to take on water. 

The plan was to turn around and head back to the original launch point. Upon turning the boat around and heading back, the vessel then began to sink and both individuals onboard began yelling for help. At this time subject1 and his cousin were approximately 50 yards away on their dock fishing and launched their vessel to go assist the two individuals. By the time Subject1 launched his vessel both victims were in the water and the vessel had sunk. Subject1 was able to get both individuals onboard and back to his dock safely. 

Owner was wearing his life jacket, and subject2 was unable to get his life jacket on in time, but had it in hand. The fuel tank, personal items, and some of the vessel items were able to be recovered and brought to shore. Witness statements were attained from all individuals. Later investigation the vessel was determined to be unregistered completely and the vessel information was attained by a third party who helped Owner attempt to register the vessel. The vessel was determined to be a 14’ Peterson. This report is based solely on the information available at the time of this report and is subject to change or be modified with discovery of new evidence or information.

Clarks Hill Lake
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