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NAS Jax Fire, Security Personnel Rescue Family Aboard Boat During Storm
Story Number: NNS041005-04
Release Date: 10/5/2004 12:49:00 PM
By Miriam Gallet, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Members of the Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville Fire and Security Departments rescued a local family of three, including a four-year-old boy, stranded aboard a boat on the St. Johns River at the height of Hurricane Jeanne Sept. 26.
Two fire and two security department personnel braved eight to 10-foot swells and gale-force winds in excess of 45 miles per hour in the rescue attempt.
“We knew what we were against,” said David Lanier, NAS Jax Fire Department station chief. “In our line of work, fire and security personnel are constantly training and preparing for disasters. This was one instance when our preparation served us well.”
The City of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department alerted Base Fire Chief Randy Hall that there was a boat in distress sitting on the water about 500 yards off NAS Jax Runway 27. Hall, along with several other firefighters, immediately investigated the situation and reported their findings to the city fire and rescue personnel.
“We called the city back and told them that through our binoculars, we could see that the boat was securely anchored and there was no one visibly in distress,” explained Hall.
According to Lanier, shortly thereafter, the city called them back and said that the boat owner had contacted the Coast Guard again, reporting he had lost both engines, was in fear of losing the anchor line, and his girlfriend and their four year-old son were aboard.
“The city, unable to respond because the Florida East Railroad Bridge was already locked down, asked the base for help,” Lanier explained. “However, by this time all of our boats were off the water and secured, because all the runways were closed and because we didn’t have a floating dock. Our minds were working overtime trying to figure out a way to rescue the family.”
The city dispatched one of their fire chiefs to the base and upon his arrival, joined Navy personnel in finding a way to execute the rescue operation. A Security Department search and rescue boat was pulled from Hangar 117 and launched. After several attempts, they were able to reach the family and safely move them into the Navy boat.
Naval Hospital Jacksonville medical personnel were pierside and checked the family for possible injuries and signs of hypothermia and shock. The family was not injured in the incident.
Hall praised Firefighters Rodney Clark and Lanier, and Police Officers Bruce Bradford and Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Chris Douglas, for their courage and determination to save three lives.
“They were outstanding,” Hall said. “They didn’t think twice before volunteering to rescue the family and the four-year-old boy. They were determined to succeed in bringing them back to shore safely and by gosh they did it.”
“I am very grateful to the Navy folks who rescued us under such harsh conditions,” said boat owner David Kyser, after safely being brought back to shore. “I certainly appreciate what the Navy personnel involved in the rescue operation did for me and my family.”
For related news, visit the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/nasjax.
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