NAGS HEAD, N.C. — The weather is warming and more people are getting out on the water on the Outer Banks. A rescue this week served as a reminder to be prepared for relatively cool water temperatures.
“Even though it’s not the wintertime, it’s also not the summertime,” said Nags Head Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Shane Hite. “The water is still about 65 degrees.”
Hite and firefighter Will Roepke responded to a missing boater call on Monday evening. A 70-year-old man was overdue to return to shore. He had launched a boat from the Harvey Public Sound Access.
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At some point, the man’s boat broke apart and a portion washed ashore near the Jockey’s Ridge access. A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted the rest of the boat capsized in the sound.
Hite sad he heard a yell in the distance, and they soon saw the man in a life preserver treading water. They were then able to get him to safety.
“His temperature had dropped substantially and when we got him out of the water, in fact his words to me were ‘I’m beat,’” Hite said “He was tired from treading water, from fighting the wave action.”
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Hite estimates the man had been in the water for at least two hours. He was taken to The Outer Banks Hospital and treated for severe hypothermia.
He said the rescue just after the department completed its annual boat training and has a written plan that details procedures during water rescues.
"Fortunately, we don't end up using our boat a number of times throughout the year," Hite said. "On occasion, we might have four to five rescues per season. We train much more than that of course."
Watch related story: Nags Head to launch new warning flag system for surf conditions
The Coast Guard issued a reminder to anyone looking to go boating during the summer season to please follow these key boating safety tips:
- Always wear a life jacket.
- Have sufficient means of communication.
- Never boat under the influence.
- Never turn your back on the water.
- Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.
- Even if boaters do not plan to enter the water, they should be prepared for an emergency.
- File a float plan.
