Editor’s note: This article is based on an event that happened on Lake Lanier on July 4, as reported by United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 29 Member Erik Amato. The story is created from exerpts from Amato’s reporting of the event in the organization’s newsletter. Two other USCGA members – Bruce Lindsey-CXN and Michael Goetschl – were also involved in the rescue that had a positive outcome, thanks to their extensive training and preparation.
– Alan Hope, Publisher

The scene during USCGA Flotilla 29’s initial approach near the sinking jet ski.
“The call came over VHS Channel 16: “There’s a sinking boat with multiple people in the water.” The location took our patrol boat toward Old Federal Park, about 20 minutes away.
As we approached, we scanned the water and located a jet ski partially submerged with three people nearby. Additionally, a Good Samaritan jet-ski rider was in the water trying to help keep the other jet ski – with one person holding on to it – from sinking.
About 20 yards from the jet ski, two female teenagers wearing life jackets held on to each other and one appeared to be in distress. She was yelling that she didn’t know how to swim.
Once we determined that none of the people was injured, our priority was to get the non-swimmer into our boat. Then we brought the other teen and the father aboard.
Further evaluation once they were onboard revealed that the non-swimmer was in the initial phases of shock. Using blankets on board we got her warmed up a bit.
Once the people were safe, we set up to tow the jet ski back to the dock, using the Coast Guard’s towing hawser. Once it righted, it was towed to the dock about a half-mile away.

Others trying to help are unable to get the people out of the water. USCGA steps in to save swimmers and jet ski.
It turned out that the three were a father and two teenaged daughters spending the day with friends at the lake. All were safe, but there’s more to the story.
Normally on a busy holiday weekend, our patrol crew makes about 40 personal contacts to help keep boaters safe, mostly concerning navigation lights. Especially when there’s a night event with fireworks, we stay quite busy.
I was surprised the following day, when the father texted me to request some photos. It turned out that he and his wife are executive pastors at Discover Life Church in Lawrenceville.
In return, I asked him to tell me what led up to the incident. He sent the most moving and touching letter; see accompanying letter with some excerpts.
And to my fellow USCGA mates, for all of you who study, test, train, practice, complete currency requirements, and train some more, keep it going. You never know when a situation confronts you and your shipmates – a situation you’ll be prepared and maybe save lives.”
Photos: courtesy USCGA

Amato

Goetschl

Lindsey
A “Thank You” to USCGA Flotilla 29
“Erik,
Thank you so much again for rescuing us. I am overwhelmed at the fact that I am sitting here today, with no significant injuries on a day that records so many at the lake. Below is my write-up of what happened that day.
On the 4th of July, my mother-in-law’s cousin offered to take us out on their tritoon boat. We were thrilled! … We were excited to spend a day on the lake to unwind, relax, and take our minds off some of the stress.
After riding around the lake for a while, my kids wanted to swim. … So another friend on the dock offered to let us use his jet ski.
Of course, I said yes. I have driven a jet ski before, so I was comfortable taking my kids with me.
As we rode around, I noticed that the jet ski seemed harder than normal to balance, but I shrugged it off as it being a jet ski I hadn’t driven before.
Next, my oldest daughter, Gemma, and my spiritual daughter, Glory, wanted to go out. So, I obliged.
As we headed back to the dock, I did a slow throttle to turn the jet ski, and as we turned, the jetski it rolled over, which happens sometimes. The bigger issue was that Glory did not know how to swim, and even though we were all wearing life vests, she began to panic. I was trying to calm her down and also flip the jet ski back over so we could climb up. We tried several times, but no matter what we tried, it would not roll over.
I noticed that the back end was getting lower and lower in the water and began to sink. I prayed, “God, send help. Please God, send someone.”
I continued to try everything I could to get the jet ski above water.
Slowly, it kept sinking until the nose was pointing straight up and it seemed to get lower and lower in the water.
Finally, another jet ski came over, and a Hispanic man jumped off to try and help, to no avail.
Then I stopped for a minute and thought. I knew that if the jet ski sank, with daylight disappearing, we would be sitting ducks and could become another statistic. I began to figure out a way to let the girls live.
I began to think about my family’s life without me, and I got scared. I didn’t know what to do, so I told my daughters to start singing worship songs.
So we all started singing, and as we did, in the distance, we saw a boat with red lights. The Coast Guard! It felt like an eternity, but I positioned the girls so the boat could pull up and get them out of the water while I stayed tethered to the jet ski.
They got the girls up, took care of them, and then moved on to me. When they finally pulled me out of the water, the amount of relief I felt cannot be described with words. I don’t know how long we were in the water, but it had to have been at least 30 minutes – 30 of the most terrifying minutes of my life.
I would just like to thank the Coast Guard who were there that day for being so calm, knowing what to do, and when to do it. Saving the girls first and then coming to me. They had my priorities. I will forever be grateful.
And if you’re wondering, they were able to save the jet ski too! They hooked it up to their boat and towed it back to the dock. While we were riding back, they said that they didn’t plan on coming over to that part of the lake, but something told them to head this way.
I believe that happened when I prayed, “God, send help, please God, send someone.”
I cannot thank them enough. Erik, and everyone else, thank you so much for following your instinct. Or, as I say, the voice of God.”
– Sincerely,
Donald (Andy) McMahon