The number of boating-related incidents and drownings on Georgia's waterways was down this Labor Day holiday weekend, amid a period of rainy weather across the state.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reported Tuesday morning that there had been six boating under the influence charges, one boating incident and one fatality in Georgia throughout the holiday weekend.
Northeast Georgia only saw two BUIs, while the other incidents were reported in other portions of the state.
The fatality occurred early Sunday morning in Bear Creek on Lake Jackson southeast of Atlanta. The Georgia DNR reported the victim, Deppish Kirkland, 72, of Savannah, fell overboard while riding on the gunwale of a Sea Hunt center console boat.
The operator of the boat turned around to pick up Kirkland but was unable to find him. The operator marked the position on GPS and called 911. The body was recovered at about 10:30 a.m. by game wardens and the Covington Dive Team.
The boat operator was arrested for BUI. No other charges are expected.
The overall number of incidents was much lower this year, which Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division public affairs officer Mark McKinnon attributed to rainy weather throughout the state this holiday weekend.
In 2021, the DNR reported 13 BUI arrests, six boating-related incidents, two injury incidents and three drownings in Georgia. One drowning, nine BUIs and two injury incidents were reported in Northeast Georgia in 2021.
