The latest updates from Melissa Cummings, public affairs coordinator for the GA Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division include the name of the boater missing since Monday, February 11, 2013: George “Marty” Counts, age 48, of Tucker, GA.
Saturday: According to the Gainesville Times, underwater searches have ceased. Surface searches will continue for an unspecified length of time.
Friday Evening: DNR continued to Side Scan this afternoon looking for possible targets to dive on. A ranger will be at Little Ridge Boat ramp on Saturday and Sunday and DNR will conduct surface searches morning and evening this weekend. The Forsyth County Fire Department will conduct surface searching around noon on Saturday and Sunday. Rangers will continue surface searching next week morning and afternoon. Agencies that were on the scene today where DNR Side Scan and patrol boats surface searching, DNR Aviation, Forsyth County Fire Side Scan/Dive Team, Forsyth County SO Mobile Command Post.
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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources received reports at about 10 PM on Monday, February 11, 2013, that a Jon Boat was running around in circles on Lake Lanier near Bald Ridge Creek.
A multi-agency team responded, including Forsyth County Fire and Rescue, Forsyth County Sheriff’s deputies, the Georgia State Patrol and the Hall County Fire Department. They found the boat — which had run out of gas — but did not find anyone in the vessel.
Our community is grateful for the valiant efforts of our emergency workers.
Our condolences go out to the missing boater’s friends and loved ones.
