Search for Tucker Fisherman in Recovery Mode

It's been one week since George "Marty" Counts of Tucker went missing on Lake Lanier. DNR officials say they are in recovery mode as they look for his body.

"All things indicate that we are in recovery mode at this point, and that he is presumed deceased," said Melissa Cummings, DNR spokesperson. "The rangers that are still involved in the search want nothing more than to be able to locate
him to assist the family."

Morning and evening surface searches will continue this week and perhaps longer, according to Cummings.

"If they [rangers] see anything that would lead them to believe that side scan sonar and/or divers are needed, they will alert other agencies for assistance," she said.

On Monday, Feb. 11, at about 9:48 p.m., DNR was called to investigate an unmanned 15-foot jon boat that was circling an area of the lake near Bald Ridge Creek at big rock. When authorities arrived they found the boat on a bank and out of gas.

Lt. Rick Doyle of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office told Cumming Patch that DNR towed the boat to the boat ramp at Little Ridge Park off Lanier Beach South Road and began a missing person investigation.

Related article on Tucker Patch:
Missing Lake Lanier Fisherman Is From Tucker