Sailboat Stuck on Sandbar in Lockwoods Folly Inlet
At 10:00 this morning, right at low tide, we were dispatched for a sailboat stuck on a sandbar in the Lockwood Folly Inlet. As with most of our calls, Oak Island Fire Department, Oak Island Police Department, United States Coast Guard, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, and NCMF Marine Patrol were also alerted.
We responded with truck 4480 which tows Boat 4490, and 4482 (our 4×4 pick-up truck). Both United States Coast Guard Station Oak Island and United States Coast Guard Sector NC attempted to contact the sailboat on VHF Marine Channel 16, the distress channel. They did not receive a reply from the sailboat.
Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol 1 quickly arrived on scene, as did Oak Island Fire Department’s Engine 171. Marine Patrol 1 determined that although the boat was aground, the occupants were not in distress or immediate danger. The sailboat occupant contacted a local boat salvage/towing company to assist them with getting off the sandbar.
There are many interesting things about this incident. Although the Lockwoods Folly Inlet was dredged just last month, there are still shallow portions (4 feet) at low tide. The inlet does not have marker buoys and most boating charts are out of date for this regularly changing inlet. The sailboat’s home port was from another state and it’s possible they were not familiar with the inlet. Fortunately there was a north wind blowing which flattens out the waves. That’s why the ocean looks so calm today. If a boat runs aground there in rough surf, it can be a life threatening situation.
Lastly, the fantastic coordination of mutual rescue agencies started with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office C-COM (Central Communications/911 center), who alerted multiple town, county, state, and federal agencies. Within a matter of minutes, numerous rescuers were responding to the emergency. At Oak Island Water Rescue we are thankful for the numerous water rescue partners we have and we hope you know help will be rapidly on the way should you ever be in trouble on the beach or in the water.
