The Port Penn Fire Company was alerted for a service call to assist a canoeist who appeared to need help turning his boat around. Dispatch advised that the canoe was believed to be only 100 yards off shore.
The Port Penn Fire Company responded with two units and a crew of 5 firefighters and upon arrival at Augustine Beach, realized the weather conditions had swiftly changed and the wind was blowing off-shore at 20 - 30 mph. Fire Chief Frank Schoeffler and Firefighter Aaron Robinson donned dry suits and PFDs and initiated a search for the canoe and occupant. They were then informed that two victims were stranded by the Reedy Point Jetty and in need of immediate help.
Chief Schoeffler upgraded the call to a full river response and requested Basic and Advanced Life Support dispatch. Duty Chief Brandon Speakman assumed command at the ramp area.
Upon reaching the jetty, the victims were assessed to be wet, cold and shivering and were not wearing PFDs. The waves around the jetty, as well as the strong winds, made the rescue extremely difficult for a direct approach by the inflatable rescue boat.
Because the victims were not wearing PFDs, and the risk of the victims being driven off the Jetty due to the high winds and waves, FF Robinson was deployed as a rescue swimmer to take two PFDs to the victim. Chief Schoeffler then repositioned the rescue boat around the opposite side of the Jetty to extract the victims and FF Robinson.
The victims and Robinson were loaded into the rescue boat and taken to the breakwall opening and were then transferred to the Delaware City Fire Company boat and transported the mile trip back to shore.
EMS units evaluated both patients and performed aggressive re-warming and the patients were then released from care approximately 45 minutes later.
Port Penn Vol. Fire Company
P.O. Box 29
Port Penn, DE 19731