It was a relatively safe and sober Memorial Day weekend on Georgia’s waterways. Game wardens responded to seven boating incidents across the state, resulting in four reported injuries and 29 Boating Under the Influence (BUI) arrests, including two on Lake Lanier.
According to the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Lakes Allatoona, Hartwell, Blue Ridge, and Oconee, as well as the Savannah River and Jekyll Creek, were among the waterways where incidents occurred.
On Lake Hartwell, a personal watercraft (PWC) accident injured one person. DNR spokesperson Mark McKinnon says three riders were ejected after hitting a wake. A female passenger injured her ankle and was taken to a hospital in Anderson, South Carolina.
Other incidents included:
Lake Allatoona: One man was arrested for BUI after hitting a dock and vessel post-storm at Harbor Town Marina. In a separate incident, a PWC collided with a larger vessel after jumping its wake; the operator was cited for violating the 100-foot law.
Lake Blue Ridge: A PWC traveling above idle speed struck a pontoon boat. The rider bailed before impact and was later cited for operating too close to another object.
Lake Oconee: A juvenile operating a PWC at over 50 mph in heavy rain crashed into riprap at the Highway 44 bridge. Two female passengers suffered minor injuries and were hospitalized.
Savannah River: A boat operator fell overboard while attempting to trailer his vessel, which then sank. He was arrested for BUI.
Jekyll Creek: A jet drive boat ran aground after hitting the Jekyll Jetties. All four occupants escaped injury.
Officials urge boaters to operate safely and soberly as the summer boating season ramps up.
