Missing Wetumpka boater's boat found badly damaged in Selma portion of Alabama River

A heavily damaged section of a boat recovered from the Alabama River on Wednesday has been identified as belonging to 54-year-old James Dawkins of Wetumpka, a boater reported missing over the weekend, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Selma-Dallas County Rescue Squad member Allan Dailey said the discovery began when someone spotted what looked like a boat drifting past the Selma marina and called 911. Officers arrived first and confirmed that a large object, partially submerged and moving quickly, appeared to be a portion of a vessel.

With the river swollen from recent rain and currents running fast, a nearby private boater attempted to reach the debris but couldn’t tow it. By the time the rescue squad launched, the current had already carried the object nearly a mile downstream.

Dailey said the river conditions made the recovery challenging.

“It was moving pretty swift,” he said. “Rough, too. The wind was blowing hard. By the time we got our boat in the water, it had traveled a long way.”

Rescue personnel eventually pulled the damaged section onto their boat rather than towing it. The piece showed severe structural damage, which Dailey described as looking “chopped in half.”

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There were no identifying markings on the exterior, but a small interior feature, and a mounted bottle opener, stood out as a potential clue. Marine Police later used that and other details to confirm the boat belonged to Dawkins.

Dailey expressed concern about the likelihood of finding the missing man alive given the cold weather, swift water and the number of days that have passed.

“Every hour that goes by, it doesn’t look good,” he said. “I hope they find him and give the family some closure.”

The Alabama Marine Police have taken possession of the recovered boat section and are leading the investigation.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Facebook reports that at approximately 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Dawkins, launched his 12ft Jon-boat equipped with only a trolling motor, near Shelton Landing on the Alabama River in Autauga County. No contact has been made with Dawkins since he launched the vessel and he is still currently missing. 

Assisting with the search have been ALEA’s Aviation Unit, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Autauga County Rescue Squad, the Millbrook Police Department and the Elmore County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).