GAINESVILLE – Joanna Cloud, Executive Director of the Lake Lanier Association, announced today that the Lake Lanier Association, in coordination with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Hall County will be removing the sunken houseboat in Lake Lanier known as the “The Deadman’s Houseboat” on Thursday, July 21st, 2016.

This vessel was left abandoned last year after the vessel owner was found deceased in the immediate area. The vessel has since become completely submerged and now, with the lake a few feet below full pool, only the top portion is visible above water. The vessel has been declared as debris by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Lake Lanier Association, DNR and Hall County are coordinating efforts and financial resources to get it removed from the lake.

This is the first vessel to be removed using funds allocated by the State of Georgia for fiscal 2017 specifically for abandoned vessel removal on Lake Lanier. Hall County is matching a portion of the state funds for Hall County specific issues. Special recognition on this effort goes to State House Representative Kevin Tanner R-Dawsonville and Hall County Commissioner Billy Powell for their leadership in getting funding secured for this project.