A Cedartown man became one of the first victims of this summer’s boating accidents on Lake Allatoona, according to state officials.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources sent out a press release stating the body of James M. Prater, 28, of Cedartown, was recovered at 3:21 p.m. Monday.

Prater had been missing ever since he was thrown from a towable inflatable last Saturday.

According to authorities, Prater was recreating with friends and family and was being towed behind a rented boat when the accident happened in the area of the Old 41 Campground #3 Blockhouse Boat Ramp and the Navy Recreational Facility.

According to witnesses, Prater was not wearing a life jacket.

Emergency crews were called when Prater didn’t come back to the top of the water. Water depths range from 20 to 50 feet in that area, officials said.

Agencies involved in the three-day search include the DNR, DNR Aviation Unit, Bartow County Fire & Rescue, Gordon County EMA, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Bartow County EMA, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Allatoona.

Georgia DNR encourages wearing life jackets while boating.

For more information on boating safety, visit www.goboatgeorgia.com/boating/safety.