CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. — Members of the Camden County Sheriff’s Office Marine Team rescued a man and his dog after their sailboat began sinking at the Georgia Jetties.
The Camden County Sheriff’s Office said Sgt. Duckworth and Lt. Wellner maneuvered alongside the vessel in high seas and strong winds to pull the boater and his pet to safety.
The sailboat originally struck the jetties during low tide. After the tide came in a few hours later, the vessel shifted and began taking on water.
With the U.S. Coast Guard about 60 minutes away, local marine units executed the emergency rescue.
Deputy Carreira, Capt. Sears and Lt. Wilborn initially responded when the sailboat first made contact with the jetties. At that time, the boat was not taking on water and the man chose to remain aboard.
After the boat shifted and began taking on water, Sgt. Duckworth and Lt. Wellner maneuvered their vessel in rough conditions to pull alongside the sinking boat without striking the rocks. The sheriff’s office said they then pulled the man and his dog to safety and transported them to St. Marys.
Following the rescue, Sgt. Duckworth secured a hotel room for the man at a Red Roof Inn, bought him food and drinks and retrieved clothing and dog food from his own home.
Lt. Wellner purchased toiletries, a new bag and other personal supplies with his own money to replace items lost on the vessel.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and Coast Guard Station Mayport also assisted during the incident, according to the sheriff’s office.
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