Stranded Swimmers on Sheep Island
Tonight at 10:51 PM, Oak Island Water Rescue, Oak Island Fire Department, and Oak Island Police Department were alerted for a report of persons in distress in the vicinity of The Point/Sheep Island. Information from the 911 caller was that two persons wearing PFDs had attempted to swim across “the sound” (Eastern Channel).
Oak Island Water Rescue responded with two boats to initiate the search for the swimmers. Minutes after launching Boat 4490 from Blue Water Point boat ramp, the subjects were rescued by a good samaritan boater who was fishing in the area. The swimmers were taken to Kings Lynn Drive parking area and evaluated for injuries.
Attempting to swim across the Eastern Channel can be dangerous due to the strong tides in that area. At the time of the call, it was an outgoing tide which could have pulled the swimmers into the Lockwoods Folly Inlet. Fortunately, both swimmers were wearing lifejackets.
