Otter Island Rescue Beaufort’s R2 and R7 in their equipment yard in Port Royal
by Fripp Island Sea Rescue Crew Members
Rescue Missions. We’ve had quite a few this summer, but here’s one we’ll remember and be talking to ourselves and each other about for quite a while. Otter Island – A Rescue in 3 Parts. SOME CONTENT EDITED BY FISR. Wednesday, July 7 – Prologue… In prior Trawler articles, FISR highlighted the cooperation First Responders in Beaufort County provide to each other. It multiplies the results a single organization could achieve on their own. Beaufort Water Search and Rescue is the Marine Rescue Organization (MRO) that handles response in the north and west parts of Beaufort County. FISR covers the south and east portions and out into the Atlantic. DNR, Coast Guard, Sheriff’s Office, Dispatch, Fire, EMS and others have similar, though different, assignments for land-based and water rescues. Early on Wednesday a family of 4 set out in a small boat from Edisto Island to picnic, explore and fish. Destination was Otter Island, not a difficult trip, with fine weather that morning. However, there were small craft warnings, and a serious, life-threatening storm was heading north past Savannah toward Edisto and the NC Outer Banks. That afternoon Tropical Storm Elsa shifted further east and would cross Otter Island that evening.
Lots of things could have been different and might have avoided the emergency, but sometimes even the most experienced boater can get into trouble. (SEE RESOURCES LINKS) Here is how the rest of the story unfolded. 1) Wed July 7, 2021, 9:30 PM FISR First Mate Eric Roberts, email and text to FISR Crew. If you have an 800MHz Rescue Radio, tune to ch4 (BWS&R search channel). I heard the call come in about sunset on VHF ch16 from a shrimp boat in the Ashepoo River off Otter Island. Skiff had overturned, father rescued by shrimper, wife and 3 or 4 girls stranded on beach on Otter Island. I called Brooke Pearson (FISR Base) and BWS&R duty phone. No page from Dispatch. Clay Emminger (BWS&R Skipper) called USCG Charleston and then launched 2 boats in support. CG Helo picked up wife and kids from Otter Island. BWS&R is tasked with picking up the father off shrimper. Dad wants them to take him to Edisto not happening per Clay - too risky - “conditions are worsening by the minute.” They’re taking dad back to Lucy Creek Landing on Sam’s Point - and will figure out how to reunite dad with family.
Fall 2021 | 62
