Sunken Boat Found in Lake Lanier

The Law Enforcement Section of Wildlife Resources Division investigated several incidents on Lake Lanier during the reporting period of Aug. 12-18.

On Aug. 13, homeowners on Lake Lanier discovered a sunken boat. Cpl. Eric Sanders is investigating to determine whether or not the boat is stolen and who the owner is.

DNR Rangers and Gwinnett County Police officers also investigated two incidents of boating under the influence. On Aug. 12, RFC Barry Britt and GCPD Ofc. Larry Fazenbaker received a complaint of reckless boat operation in Sunset Cove on Lake Lanier. The officers located the boat and cited the operator for boating under the influence (BUI) and failing to obey a regulatory marker.

A Lake Lanier safety patrol on Aug. 18 also resulted in a BUI arrest. RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Jason Roberson stopped a boat for a light violation and determined the operator of the boat was intoxicated. A 6-year-old passenger was on the boat at the time of the stop. The boat operator was taken into custody on charges of operating a vessel under the influence, operating a vessel with improper lights, allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a personal flotation device, and BUI child endangerment. The boat operator was transported to the Hall County Jail and the child was later released to a parent. 

The Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations weekly law enforcement report contains a sampling of events that have taken place statewide in the past week. The Law Enforcement Section is tasked with enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to game and nongame animals, threatened and endangered plants and animals, exotic animals, boating safety, litter and waste control, and other natural resource issues. 

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