NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies and a good Samaritan helped rescue a boater who fell overboard Tuesday afternoon and spent nearly an hour in cold waters hanging onto an anchor.
Police notified the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Ag Marine Unit of a person in distress in the Cumberland Sound near the entrance channel to the St. Marys River.
Press play above to watch video of the rescue
Deputies found a 1996 Sea Pro center console vessel with one person aboard. He told them his friend fell overboard while trying to raise the anchor.
The victim, who was wearing a life jacket, was clinging to the anchor line in 64-degree weather for 45 minutes and showed signs of severe exhaustion and hypothermia.
Deputies from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and Camden County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit coordinated rescue efforts, and with help from a good Samaritan boater, the victim was pulled back onto the vessel.
“This incident highlights the critical importance of wearing proper safety equipment while boating,” said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. “The life jacket this individual was wearing no doubt saved his life.”
The distressed boater was taken to the Dee Dee Bartels Boat Ramp where Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue paramedics provided immediate medical attention before taking him to the Baptist Nassau emergency room.
The boater was last reported to be in a stable condition.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office reminds all boaters to:
- Always wear a properly fitted life jacket
- Check weather and water conditions before departing
- Carry proper safety equipment
- File a float plan with someone on shore