JACKSONVILLE — An off-duty Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter swam out to rescue three young boaters clinging to their capsized boat off Big Talbot Island.
Firefighter Otto Scherick was celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday with a day outdoors when he heard people screaming for help. He ran to the shore and saw the boaters waving from the overturned boat offshore.
Scherick swam to them and convinced them their best chance was to swim back to shore. With no life jackets on board, he disconnected the boat’s gas tank to use as a float and helped them swim in. A bystander also swam out and stayed with the group the entire way back.
“Otto heard a call for help and ran toward it,” said JFRD Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II. “He didn’t have a radio, a crew, or any equipment, just his training and good judgment ... We’re proud of him and grateful he stepped up.”
JFRD reminded boaters to wear a life jacket.
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