Pair stranded after boat runs out of gasBy Noah Haglund (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 26, 2008
FOLLY BEACH — Rescue crews had to wait hours for higher tides to bring a stranded couple to shore Wednesday after their boat ran out of gas near Folly Beach, authorities said. "Apparently, they were out riding because there wasn't any fishing gear or anything on board," said Sgt. Pedro McTeer of the Folly Beach Public Safety Department. "They ran out of gas. ... When the tide came in, they were stuck and they couldn't move because they were out of gas anyway." The 21-year-old woman and 20-year-old man were out in a johnboat when they got stuck in Rat Island Creek on Tuesday night, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jeffery Price said. The Coast Guard received its first call for help about 10 p.m. A Charleston County Sheriff's Office helicopter spotted the boat and a Sheriff's Office boat tried to reach them in the morning, but got stuck, authorities said. McTeer said dispatchers received a new call around 9:30 a.m. from a resident who was at home and noticed a woman in a nearby marsh waving a red handkerchief. With the tide rising, a Folly Beach officer on a personal watercraft was able to reach the couple and take the woman to a Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad boat. The woman, a Hanahan resident, arrived at the Folly Beach boat landing around noon; and the man, a James Island resident, about an hour later, McTeer said. Deputies helped tow the man, his dog and his boat back to shore. Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 17 comment(s)
Posted by SeaSaw on June 26, 2008 at 5:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some people do not take boating as serious as they should. With so many things that can go wrong on the water, running out of gas is one of the easiest things to prevent.
Posted by shoelaces on June 26, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So glad they are all safe. But why exactly couldn't they move? Where was their oar?
Then again, after dark maybe staying in the grass was wise.
I knew a couple who spent the night in the folly and not by choice. Once they were safe they fitted their boat out with LOTS of safety equipment. Bet this couple will think twice next time.
Posted by drp7773 on June 26, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stupid is as stupid does........is this another way to try and get free gas or at least did they have to pay for the gas used to tow them in.
Posted by Early on June 26, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the "ran out of gas" trick only counted in cars?
Posted by shoelaces on June 26, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, let's see. If they didn't have enough gas they probably didn't have that oar (required) and they probably didn't have lights even if they could get to deeper water.
Ever been in a john boat? Not too hard to push a 14 footer back into deep water.
Still very happy they are all safe. Don't want any bad boat karma out there.
Posted by lou9 on June 26, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel sorry for the poor dog who got stuck with these two rockheads. He didn't have a choice in the matter. Wonder what they ran out of first, gas or beer? I hope they got their behinds eaten up by mosquitoes.
Posted by Tammie on June 26, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. I figure if I am going to go out on the water, I'd want to be as equipped as possible. This could have been easily prevented.
Posted by Early on June 26, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I carry a spare boat with me in case I run out of gas or it sinks. It's a dual purpose boat that I nicked named Lucy. You do have to blow her up manually and I do get funny looks while peddling on top of her but hey, it's a safety net.
Posted by scnative4ever on June 26, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is why inspections and boat safety classes are so important from DNR. but yet some folks have a problem with that. Carrying a 5 gallon can full of gas is a stupid idea. you should know your boat and gas consumption rate. good plan Tammie. you would think that would be common sense. they probably didn't bring shoes, so they couldn't get out and push it.
Posted by scnative4ever on June 26, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
at least i'm not riding around in a boat with 5 gallons of gas because i can't figure out how much gas it takes to run my boat. i'd say you are operating a boat at a 1st grade level. pssst coldbeer no one cares what you think either. basically all your posts are unsolicited lip service. stay off the water, you are a safety hazard!!!...at least do all the other safe boaters a favor and take a boating class. if dnr catches you with the gas can in your boat you will be fined. please folks don't do this...it's just plan stupid.
Posted by Siri on June 26, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
scnative why would dnr fine me for extra gas?
What if my tank only takes me 5 hours , I want to go 3 hours out. I need extra gas to come 3 hours back otherwise I'm an hour short.
Posted by katrenavantassle on June 26, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ColdBeer, you're just too much!!! LOL!
Lets give these young kids some compassion here...there is alot worse things they can be doing at 20 and 21 instead of riding around in a john boat. They didn't realize evidentally how fast the fuel runs out while "joy riding" up and down. This will be a good lesson learned for them.
We happened to break down in our boat one time back in 1995 near the Naval Base area I think its called the Wando, the engine waterpump died, and we sat for four hours WITHOUT SEEING ONE BOAT AT ALL and finally some shrimper's who had been shrimping all night saw our deliemma pulled up their poles and came over and gave us a tow back to our landing. We sure were greatful and offered them some cash but they refused and told us to have a good evening!!! NOW THERE IS THAT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY I HEAR OF!!!
Posted by Siri on June 26, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess if I want an answer next time I'll ask coldbeer.
I gather from your post it isn't the extra gas but the type of can and/or storage of said can?
Posted by Siri on June 26, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for the info.
Posted by RedSnappa on June 26, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been running the back creeks of folly, Kiawah, Clarke sound, for years while fishing, gigging and commercially oystering. I can't begin to tell you how many boaters that "want to see the light house", and get lost. I had two families follow me out one late afternoon. It is very easy to get hopelessly lost in the back creeks when the tide goes out, and the sun goes down. I am surprised that there are not more of these "rescues".
Posted by shoelaces on June 26, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I knew a helluva lot about boating and boating safety by the age of 20. We were required to take boating safety in PE during high school.
They probably didn't have any shoes????????????? Really??? That would be really stupid. Add no shoes to the list...no gas, no flares, no oar, no lights (another theory).
I sure hope DNR was at the landing to ticket the hang out of them.
LOU9, good point about the dog. Hope he/she was met at the landing by Pet Helpers to assist him/her in finding a new home (kidding). These two obviously aren't fit to be parents.
COLD BEER!!!! I eagerly await to see what sage wisdom you bring to any discussion. Please keep them coming!!!
We too carry extra fuel on those days when we may, I said MAY go beyond our limits. Only ran out of gas once. Most boating events only happen ONCE!! Fortunately it was in a very public location and were given enough by a passing boater to get us safely to the landing.
And I also agree that whenever people require Coasties to help them they should have to pay something back.
BUT I am still very happy these two are safe and sound. Don't want to anger the river gods...they do give and take!!
Posted by PalmettoDP on June 28, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Early - LMAO!
I also carry an extra fuel tank on my boat because I got tired of replacing the sending unit on the fuel tank (it's an old boat and I'm going to trade soon). I don't know why anyone would think I should be fined by DNR for that.