Dive crews halt search of missing boy in Lake Lanier - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Dive crews halt search of missing boy in Lake Lanier

Posted: Updated:
Griffin Prince, Source: Facebook Griffin Prince, Source: Facebook
Special robotic camera to aid search Special robotic camera to aid search
  • NEWS

  • Friday, May 17 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:12:11 GMT
    Shana Young has lived in Columbus for quite some time she remembers when uptown used to be downtown and it wasn't the heavily populated place it is today. She believes a lot of that is because of Columbus
    Shana Young has lived in Columbus for quite some time she remembers when uptown used to be downtown and it wasn't the heavily populated place it is today. She believes a lot of that is because of Columbus
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 4:46 AM EDT2013-05-18 08:46:00 GMT
    Before you know it, school will be out and parents will be looking for things for their kids to do. We compiled a list of nine things to do in Columbus this summer for kids.
    Before you know it, school will be out and parents will be looking for things for their kids to do. We compiled a list of nine things to do in Columbus this summer for kids.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 3:57 AM EDT2013-05-18 07:57:04 GMT
    To the world, you may be just a person, but to a rescued pet, you are their world.  Here is a look at today's pets at Columbus Animal Care and Control that are in desperate need of your help.
    To the world, you may be just a person, but to a rescued pet, you are their world.  Here is a look at today's pets at Columbus Animal Care and Control that are in desperate need of your help.
HALL COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -

Crews with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are out on Lake Lanier over the weekend. They are equipped with sonar scanning devices.

Crews are using those devices to check under the water in the Shoal Creek area Saturday. A spokeswoman for DNR tells CBS Atlanta that crews could stay on the lake as late as 11 p.m.

Dive crews stopped their search for the body of 13-year-old Griffin Prince in Lake Lanier Friday. Officials said the weekend boat traffic would hinder recovery efforts.

Yesterday a local business owner donated an underwater robotic camera to help. 

The teenager has been missing since Monday night when he was thrown from his family's boat when another boater hit them.

His 9-year-old brother Jake was killed.

Paul Bennett, 44, is charged with causing the crash while boating drunk.

Robert Estrada is the owner of Tow Boat U.S. Lake Lanier. Estrada said he borrowed the robotic camera from a friend in San Diego.

"I saw how difficult the situation was so I called Rob and asked him if we can get that. He sent it overnight it to me. I just wanted to help out," said Estrada.

The robot can go deeper and stay under water longer than divers. Divers are limited to up to six minutes under Lake Lanier because of the cold temperature and the depth.

"It's like a mini-submarine that's got cameras and its got claws on it. Instead of every time they see something on sonar sending a diver down to look at it, we can send this to look at it and it will save dive time," said Estrada.

Search crews also used an underwater camera called a Side Scan to help them search the lake which, in the search area, is deep and murky.

The murky water makes the search difficult, which is why divers depend on the specialized camera. Crews scan the lake with the underwater camera. When they notice something odd or out of place, they send in a dive team to investigate.

On the memorial Facebook page Friday, the post read, "Michael, Tara and Ryan ask that anyone who wants to help the family to please pray and ask the Lord in sincere prayer to help the men and women who are searching for the body of Griffin to be guided and prompted to know where to look in the lake to find him so he can be laid to rest alongside his dear brother Jake."

The community at Windsor at Lanier will hold a candlelight gathering on Sunday to show support for the Prince family.

It will be at the community clubhouse on Shadburn Ferry and Queensboro roads in Buford from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Copyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation).  All rights reserved.