Body of missing Harrison Bay boater found, identified

(Feb. 27, 2024) 

UPDATE:

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Late Monday night, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office revealed the identity of the missing boater on Harrison Bay, and they found his body.

They identified him as 78-year-old Philip Acord, a Hamilton County resident.

Authorities found Acord’s body using a remote operated vehicle.

The HCSO said Acord was fishing with his friend when he fell into the water around 12:30 p.m.

They later found his body at around 5:30 p.m. in water ranging from 10 to 15 feet deep. They said he was not wearing a life jacket.

Now that his identity has been released, local groups are taking to social media to announce his passing.

The Chambliss Center for Children said Acord was their former president and CEO. He worked with the organization for 50 years and just retired in 2021.

They described the impact he made on the Chambliss Center and the children he served.

(Feb. 26, 2024)

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Missing boater search / HCSO

BIRCHWOOD, Tenn. (WDEF) — Several law enforcement agencies are searching for a missing boater who fell overboard on Monday.

Authorities said they were on scene at Harrison Bay at around 3 p.m. on Monday, searching for the missing boater.

They were searching near the Ware Branch Boat Ramp off Thatch Road in Birchwood.

Missing boater search / HCSO

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said they received reports that a boater fell overboard at around 12:30 p.m.

The sheriff’s office has a drone unit, marine patrol and underwater team searching for the boater.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said they were assisting in the search. They explained that two anglers were fishing from a bass boat when one of them went overboard.

That person was not wearing a life jacket, the TWRA added.

TWRA said officers are using a remote operated vehicle and are searching in 10 to 15 feet of water. The water temperature was 53 degrees at the time of the incident.

This is the first boating fatality in 2024, according to the TWRA.