See dramatic rescue after flipped boat tosses three people into South Carolina bay
With the help of volunteers and emergency personnel, three people were pulled out of South Carolina waters midday after their watercraft flipped over, photos show.
Firefighters from the Awendaw-McClellanville Consolidated Fire District were called to help three people who fell out of a capsized boat in Bulls Bay, a body of water almost 20 miles northeast from Charleston, according to the fire department’s Sunday, Sept. 24 Facebook post. The 911 call came from one of the people in the water, deputy fire chief of operations Michael Bowers told McClatchy News.
Responders arrived to Garris Landing, a public boat ramp and fishing pier in the area, where they began their search mission for the three people in the bay. Several boats were launched to find the group, the post says.
The rescue team was underway at 11:33 a.m. and had located the people by 11:48 a.m. near Venning Creek, which is around the south end of Bulls Bay along South Carolina’s coast, Bowers said.
After being pulled aboard the rescue boat, they were “taken back to Garris Landing for a medical check from Charleston County EMS,” the Facebook post says. The group decided against going to a medical facility, Bowers said.
“Good thing this happened in September and not January when the water is a lot colder,” Bowers said, noting the cold waters could have caused further medical issues.
Photos shared on the fire department’s Facebook post were taken by one of the people rescued.
There was no information in the fire department’s report that explained how the group flipped in to the water, Bowers said.
In addition to the responding firefighters, volunteers from U.S. Fish and Game, Charleston County EMS, Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources all took part in the rescue, according to the post.
“Great teamwork by local, state and federal responders!” the post says.
Some on Facebook were amazed by the rescue and thanked the responders for saving the three people.
“Amazing response and execution to get those folks back to a safe place! Thank you!” a commentor wrote.
Water rescue calls are “somewhat regular” for Charleston County during the summer because of tourism season, Bowers said. Rescue personnel respond to everything from a kayaker stuck in the mud to boats dug into the sand when the tide is low, he said.
“Something this traumatic isn’t often,” Bowers said.
Practicing safe boating habits is critical for anyone looking to go out on the water, Bowers said. Among his recommendations were:
- Always make sure there are enough personal flotation devices for everyone aboard
- Have a marine radio with you in case your phone falls in the water or dies
- Let friends or family know when you’re going out on the water
This story was originally published September 25, 2023 at 5:27 PM with the headline "See dramatic rescue after flipped boat tosses three people into South Carolina bay."
