Georgia DNR Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon released a report about a personal watercraft (PWC) boating incident on Lake Lanier that occurred on Sunday, July 27, 2014.
While on vessel patrol in Hall County on Lake Lanier in Flowery Branch Creek near Van Pugh’s swimming area, Rangers and Hall County Sheriff Department personnel witnessed two PWCs (personal watercraft) collide at about 2:40 PM.
A green and white Bombadier PWC (vessel #1) was in operation at an approximate speed of 20 to 30 mph, when it suddenly turned 200 degrees (not uncommon when subjects are playing on PWCs).
A red and white Seadoo PWC (vessel #2) was in operation not far behind PWC #1, traveling at an approximate speed of 20 to 30 mph as well. Vessel #2 struck PWC #1 near the bow and on the starboard side causing the rider of PWC #1 to be thrown from the craft. The rider was not wearing the automatic cut-off switch, so PWC #1 remained in operation turning circles at approximately 5 to 10 mph.
Once the officers determined that no one was injured from incident, they used the patrol vessel to slow down the out-of-control PWC by using a long aluminum pole to pull the kill switch.
The ejected rider did not sustain any injuries other than a slight abrasion to his upper right arm. The PWC sustained a crack in the hull near the rub rail, a hole in the cowl and the starboard mirror was torn off.
The rider of PWC #2 received a citation for operating a PWC above idle speed within 100’ of an object in the water. The ejected rider of PWC #1 received a citation for operating a PWC without an engine cut-off switch attached.
Following proper guidelines would have prevented this boating incident on Lake Lanier.
