Immediate Release
April 6, 2012
Smith Point Sea Rescue responded to a variety of calls for assistance which are listed below. Smith Point Sea Rescue can be reached 24/7 by calling on channel 16 or by calling 911. Rescue I and Rescue II are based on the Great Wicomico River and Rescue III is located on Lodge Creek off of the Yeocomico River.
For calendar year 2011 Smith Point Sea Rescue responded to 64 requests for assistance ranging from groundings to running out of fuel.
January 6th a 35 foot commercial oyster rig from Tangier ran aground and was towed free.
January 27th a 30 foot sailboat northeast of the Great Wicomico light ran out of fuel and had a dead battery. They were towed to Jennings boatyard.
March 20th the Northumberland sheriff’s office received a hang-up call from a boat near buoy #11 on the Great Wicomico River. While underway the mission was aborted because the first call was accidental.
March 24th a 22 foot cabin cruiser with 2 aboard lost power. The bulb on the gas line failed and by repeatedly pumping it the boat was able to return to its dock under its own power. Rescue I followed them to make sure they mad it back safely.
Smith Point Sea Rescue is a totally volunteer rescue unit which serves boaters from Ragged Point to the mouth of the Potomac River, south to the Rappahannock River and across to the eastern shore. Smith Point Sea Rescue can be reached 24/7 by calling on channel 16 or by calling 911. The organization receives no governmental monetary support and depends solely on the proceeds of Annual Reedville Fishing Derby and donations to fund their operation for the year.
SmithPointSeaRescue.com