On 8/13/2023 at approximately 1730 I Cpl. was informed about a boating incident that had occurred at the “No Wake” zone at Aqualand Marina. I was told that a 22-year-old male had jumped off the back of a vessel to relieve himself while the boat had only just stopped at the buoy line and when he had come up to the surface, he was screaming that he had been cut by the prop. 

The man was pulled out of the water and taken to Aqualand Marina’s gas dock where the group from the boat met an ambulance, and he was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment. I went by truck to the Hospital with Sgt., and we interviewed the victim and two witnesses. Victim had a large cut on his shoulder where the prop had cut down into the muscles of his back. The witnesses stated that at the time Victim jumped into the water a wave came which pulled the stern of the boat down along with pushing Victim towards the vessel this cause the prop to strike Victim. 

On 8/14/23 I contacted the owner/operator of the vessel that the witnesses had stated was driving a man. Operator stated that he was facing forward looking towards the bow of the boat when Victim asked how much longer it would be until they could get to shore because he (Victim) needed to use the rest room. Operator said they would stop at the no wake zone and Victim could relieve himself then. When he throttled down at the “No Wake Zone” Victim quickly went from the bow to the stern and jumped into the lake before the prop had time to completely power down. 

In conclusion victim sustained lacerations to his back and shoulders when he carelessly jumped into the lake from the stern of the vessel before giving adequate time for the propeller of the vessel to completely slow down.

Lake Lanier
FLOWERY BRANCH                