Thursday June, 15 2023 @ 11:53

Nature: Water Rescue Priority 2

Location: 38.5997, -75.1638

Area:  Between Mercer Ave, Oak Orchard and Sterling Blvd, The Peninsula

On Thursday, June 15^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a water rescue incident in the area between Mercer Avenue – Oak Orchard and Sterling Boulevard – The Peninsula reportedly in the marshy area east of Emily’s Gut.  It was reported to be two kayakers, each in their own kayak and stuck in a small canal or lagoon type area when the tide went out.

The kayaker information and description included:

• Kayakers launching point was off a dock in the Nature Conservatory Area within the Peninsula

• Two Kayakers

  • One kayaker wearing a tan life jacket, gray shorts, baseball cap and black cami style shirts – 15 year old female – dark green kayak

  • One kayaker wear long sleeve light blue shirt, baseball cap, tan life jacket – approximately age 60s – dark green kayak

• Additional information – small creek or lagoon east of Emily’s Gut

Emergency response units from Indian River included Utility 80-11 and Chief 80-15 from the Oak Orchard facility were sent to Mercer Avenue, Riverview Avenue, and Grove Street area and Brush 80-00 from the Long Neck facility was sent to the Sterling Boulevard area in the Peninsula development.

Initial arriving units in the Oak Orchard area performed visible inspections of the Emily’s Gut area, the Grove Street pier area and as well as the Riverview Avenue launching area were inspected for possible visible sightings of the kayakers.  There were no visible sightings.

Units from the Oak Orchard area evaluated local ramps for launching points with no success.  Indian River commandeered an EXCEL Mud Buddy boat and left the Gull Point area in search of the kayakers.  After meeting with DNREC Marine Police, a sweep of Emily’s Gut area was completed with no success. 

The first responders from the Peninsula development had visual sightings of one kayaker, the 60 year old male subject and the marine unit emergency response mariners made contact with this kayaker before transferring him to the DNREC Officer.  The Mud Buddy vessel then proceeded to access areas that were pinpointed and focused on accessing and locating the other missing kayaker.  Unfortunately, the tide in the search area was being depleted with the outgoing tide causing response delays.  The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit – Trooper 2 was requested for assistance with locating the missing teenage kayaker.  Persistence and continual efforts allowed the Mud Buddy Marine unit to retrack and attempt another access approach.  In the meantime, the on land first responders trekked around the Nature Path to access some of the nature observance decks and was able to obtain voice and visible contact with the teenage kayaker.  The Mud Buddy unit was able to access and assist the teenage kayaker, performed extrication the from area and transported her to the Rosedale Beach Public Ramp before transporting to her back to her residential location.   The kayaker was in good condition and spirit and did not need any medical assistance. The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit was cancelled.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company would like to acknowledge the assistance of WMF Watercraft & Marine for using their marine unit and staff to operate the unit during the rescue operations.