Coast Guard saves 81-year-old man after boat begins to sink in river near Savannah
The U.S. Coast Guard pulled an 81-year-old man to safety Sunday morning after his boat began sinking on Little Back River Saturday night, officials say.
Coast Guard Station Tybee was called at 8:32 p.m. by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and was told that a 16-foot boat was taking on water, according to a press release. The Coast Guard set out in a helicopter aircrew and found the man using the location of his cell phone, according to U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Christinia Batchelder.
“We recommend mariners make a survival kit with flares and a radio in case they find themselves in a dangerous situation so the Coast Guard can locate them quickly,” Batchelder said.
The man did not have serious injuries, according to Petty Officer Vincent Moreno with the Coast Guard, and was treated by EMS at Savannah International Airport.
In March, four men in kayaks were rescued from the waters around Tybee Island. The men had been camping overnight on the island and were not able to make it back to the mainland on their kayaks in 30 mph winds and 8-foot waves, according to previous reporting by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. All four were in stable condition after they were rescued.
Water Safety
It is important to know what to do out on the water in case of an emergency. Below are several safety tips from the S.C. Department of Natural Resources that can help keep you and your family safe.
- Make sure you have enough life vests of the right size for everyone on board and that they are in good condition.
- Keep fire extinguishers on board and make sure that they are in good, working condition.
- Be sure to carry your cellphone with you and that it is charged.
- Check the weather to know what conditions will be like when you are out on the water.
- Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- If caught in a storm and your boat capsizes, stay with the boat and do not take off your life jacket.
This story was originally published April 24, 2022 at 4:32 PM.
