The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has shared an update regarding the boating activities over the Memorial Day weekend, as revelers took to the state's waterways in celebration. According to the report by FOX5 Atlanta, the DNR has recorded a total of 12 incidents of boating under the influence (BUI) alongside two boating accidents in various regions of Georgia.
The first accident occurred around 8 p.m. in Region 4 near the Savannah River. A man, attempting to trailer his boat, tragically fell into the water and, despite managing to stop the engine, his vessel took on water and sank. He swam to shore and was eventually arrested for BUI. This incident was reported by game wardens who found the man after they noticed floating debris and a sunken vessel near a boat landing. In a statement obtained by WSBTV, the DNR noted that "the operator swam to the bank, where the game wardens found him." His identity has not been released.
The second accident, which had no reported injuries, involved a boat running over the Jekyll Jetties and subsequently coming to a stop 20 yards into a marsh on an oyster bed. As detailed in the reports from FOX5 Atlanta, all four individuals aboard the jet-drive dual-console boat were accounted for following the crash, which occurred just after 11 p.m. on Jekyll Creek in Glynn County.
The DNR's boating activity report spans from 12:01 a.m. last Saturday through 11:59 p.m. today, documenting the various incidents that marred what should have been a celebratory weekend. The BUI arrests were spread across different regions, with three in Region 1 (Acworth), two in Region 3 (Thomson), five in Region 4 (Metter), one in Region 5 (Albany), and one in Region 6 (Brunswick). According to a report by FOX5 Atlanta, further data, including yesterday's figures, is set to be released today.
