The body of a Whitwell, Tennessee, man has been recovered after he and two other men jumped from their sinking boat into Nickajack Lake Thursday night, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials said Friday in a news release.
TWRA along with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Marion County Rescue Squad and Hamilton County Dive Team responded to a 2 a.m. CDT call reporting a sunken vessel and missing person, authorities said.
Ronnie D. Gholston, 24, was bow fishing with two other men around 10:30 p.m. CDT Thursday when their 15-foot Lowe fishing boat started to take on water, TWRA spokesperson Mime Barnes said in the release.
(READ MORE: Here's how you can boat safely.)
"The three men jumped into the water to swim to shore. As they swam, two men in the group observed that Gholston was no longer communicating with them," Barnes said. "The two men swam to an island near Bennett Lake Access where they waited, without cellphone communication. Around 2 a.m. they heard someone at the boat ramp and yelled for help. This passerby called 911."
(READ MORE: Fatal boat crash at Georgia fishing tournament being investigated)
TWRA used side-scanning sonar to find Gholston's body in more than 40 feet of water, Barnes said. Gholston's body was transported to the Davidson County Forensics Center in Nashville for an autopsy.
The incident remains under investigation and no further information was provided by TWRA.
Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said at least three county officers responded to the fatal incident Thursday night to assist.
"It's a terrible accident," Burnett said Friday in a phone interview.
"I hope this is not a sign of things to come as we're just about to start the summer season," he said. "Memorial Day is the kickoff of the summer season so safe boating is important."
(READ MORE: Drowning marks Tenn's 17th boating-related death for 2021)
Burnett said authorities are still sorting out what happened but other boaters should take notice.
"It's time to be careful. If you're out in a boat please don't get intoxicated and wear a life jacket, be careful and use some common sense," Burnett said.
Barnes said Gholston's death marks Tennessee's ninth boating-related fatality in 2022 as the state agency and others across the state and nation launch National Safe Boating Week beginning Saturday.
The annual event promotes safe activity and the wearing of life jackets as the summer boating season kicks off in Tennessee, where boating enthusiasts have an abundance of water-borne opportunities across the state. Memorial Day weekend is viewed as the unofficial start to the summer boating season, according to a news release sent out Tuesday by Barnes.
Officials said the investigation into the incident is continuing.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton.
SAFE BOATING WEEK TIPS
Take a boating safety courseGain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.Check equipmentSchedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition.Make a float planAlways let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration and communication equipment on board.Wear a life jacketMake sure everyone wears a life jacket every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency.Use an engine cut-off deviceAn engine cut-off device, or engine cut-off switch, is a proven safety device to stop the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.Watch the weatherAlways check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently check it during the excursion.Know what’s always going on around you at all timesNearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.Know where you’re going and travel at safe speedsBe familiar with the area, local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed.Never boat under the influenceBoating under the influence is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.Keep in touchHave more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones and cellphones can all be important devices in an emergency.Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency