Holden Water Rescue
BY DOUG KUTTKK
If a boat sinks off Holdcn Beach next week and
fishermen need assistance, the community's newly-es
tablished water rescue team will be ready to lend a
helping hand.
The team ? made up of 10 volunteer firemen, rescue
squad members and town police officers? has been pre
pared for water rescue since Oct. 1.
Holdcn Beach officials and community residents
started developing the water rescue program last sum
mer m response to five drownings that occurred in a
three-month period.
Three men drowned in late May after their fishing
boat sank off Shallotte Inlet. Two swimmers drowned
near the west end of the island in separate incidents in
July and August.
Holdcn Beach Commissioners voted about three
months ago to spend up to $15,000 on equipment, train
ing and operating costs for a water rescue program.
Town Manager Gary Parker said the program has
received a lot of community support. "It's a very pro
active program, and hopefully we can avoid some of the
problems we've had in the past," he said.
Keith Sawyer, a volunteer fireman who has spear
headed the effort to form the water safety team, said the
group is trained and equipped and ready to go.
Although the water rescue team was started with
town funds and is tied closely to the town, Parker said it
is not a part of the town's administrative structure.
"It's their program to run with," Parker said. "But
there wouldn't be a program probably if there wasn't a
partnership."
Sawyer said that relationship between the rescue
team and town will probably continue for at least the
next year. At that time, it will be evaluated to see if any
changes should be made.
All 10 members of the water rescue team have been
certified in boat-based and surf rescue. They represent
Tri-Bcach Volunteer Fire Department, Coastline
Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Holdcn Beach Police
Department.
Besides Sawyer, team members are Ronnie Rabon,
Robert Cook, Ted Lane Helms, Clarence Thornton Jr.,
Jerry Lee Wilson, Herbert Varnum, Roy Douglas Todd
v r / nm l hhh MH -J
STAFF PHOTO BY DOUG tUTTE*
h OUR WETSUITS are donated to the Holden Reach water rescue team by Danny Liebl (right), man
ager of Holden Heach Marina. Also pictured are rescue team member Keith Sawyer (left) and Town
Manager Gary Parker.
Jr., Robert McLeod and Jonathan McLcod.
The town has purchased a rescuc patrol boat that can
be launched from the surf as well as communications
equipment, life jackets, helmets and other items which
arc being stored at the Holden Beach police suition.
SOUTH WIND
SIGNS
CUSTOM PAINTED SIGNS
ANY SIZE
SPECIALIZING IN
CUSTOM ELECTRIC SIGNS
AND INSTALLATION & REPAIR
754-8439
HOLDEN BEACH ROAD
GROCERY OUTLET
Check These Everyday LOW LOW PRICES
Major Brand/Dry Dog Food 29c lb.
Sweet Potatoes 19c lb.
MANY NEW ITEMS IN STOCK
4710 Main St. Mon.-Fri.
Shallotte 9:30-600
Across From Mary & J R. Legg Sat.
The Beacon Proprietors 9:30-2:00
Quality Built Manufactured Homes
1/2 Acre Lots For Sale or Lease
Low Down Payment-Low Monthly Payment
Only At...
Marty's Homes, Inc.
At Country Meadows
Xv Rt. 904, Longwood
Sales Manager <M> 919-287-4618
The BRUNSWICK BEACON
0
nekind
of
happiness
money
can buy.
If money's the only thing
standing between you and
your dream house, we can
help make your dream come true!
Call or stop by and talk to its about a home mortgage. Don 7 forget to
ask about the other types of loans and services that we offer.
RITY
s & Loan
(??Al MOlQiMB
lender
ASSOCIATION
Shallotte Calabash
754-4371 579-3595
Southport Long Beach Leland
457-5246 278-3942 371-6546
Team Ready
Sawyer said the water rescue team will use the boat
for rescues in the ocean, inlets and waterway and plans
to patfol waters around Holdcn Beach on major holiday
weekends.
Rescue team members and town officials agree that
For Action
ihe program won't work unless the public ts educated
about the potential dangers of ocean swimming and
boating.
At each public beach access, the town has posted in
formation about rip currents, which are strong, narrow
surface currents that How out from the beach.
Sawyer said the team hopes to get public safety an
nouncements on radio and television and wants to even
tually have water safety taught in the schools.
"The ideal situation is to have a fully-trained water
rescue team and never have to call them out," said
Danny Liebl, manager of Holden Beach Marina.
Sawyer said the team members intend to gel togeth
er at least once a mondi to train and refresh their skills.
Some water rescue personnel might take phase three
of the water rescue course next month, and more train
ing is being planned next spring.
Sawyer said live county residents, including him
self, arc working toward becoming certified to teach the
first phase of the water rescue course.
In addition to the water rescue team, Parker said
town officials may consider employing lifeguards or us
ing Hags on the strand to warn swimmers of dangerous
swimming conditions.
"Some placcs are already doing that and we may
want to do it here," the town manager said.
Besides financial backing from the town, die water
rescue team has received donations of money and equip
ment and discounts from businesses that sell equipment.
Sawyer said the team has received about S22,(HX)
worth of equipment, training and services, but only
SI 4, (XX) has been spent.
Holden Beach Marina recently donated four wet
suits for rescuers to use in the off-season. Gary and Alfa
Carr, who run a charter fishing boat, gave 20 neon yel
low T-shirts so the rescue team members can be easily
recognized.
Sawyer said no donation is too small. "Every one oi
the team members has pulled money out of their own
pocket," he said. "They believe in it strongly enough to
outfit themselves."
People interested in becoming involved in the water
rescue program or donating money or equipment can
call Holden Beach Town Hall, 842-64X8.
At Reny's in the Waccamaw Heritage, you'll I - nnua
find a unique blend of past & present. X" Customer Appreciation
10% Off Any Purchased Pre-Christmas
with this coupon* /^S2il6 Oct. 23"NOV. 24
to, kes Bears ? Pis Carousels ? Santas ? Cats M?ru- { A To "V t>mnks >0 our m""V customers and friends
/in/ ? Fenton Class ? Musicals ? LW/s ? Pewter V Save up to 50%* on many r Jects
'Sale & Coupon does not include / items. Shop early for holiday gifts & decorations
certain collectible lines that uv I Choose from our uude selection of gifts including
aren't allowed to discount So y ^ wi<i?iy of our collectible lines
Idyauwys on sale merchandise
Hwy. 130 at Waccamaw River, Box 186, Ash, .\C 28420 919-287-3181
Also, Any Old Thing Antiques ? Hwy. 701 Bypass, Whiteville 919-642-3312
BLACK'S TIRE
"YOUR FULL SERVICE TIRE STORE"
OHT5U TIRES
"Net Great Values On Tires That Do The Job Better"
J
? /Ik
HS301
^z\
HS200
T;L P155.80R13 79S
T/LP16580R13 83S
T/L P185/60R13 SOS
T/L P185/75R14 895
T/L P195/75R14 92S
T/L P20575R14 95S
T'L P20575R15 S7S
T/L P21575R15 100S
T/L P225/75R15 102S
T/L P235/75R15 105S
$35 95
$39 83
S45.90
$50 23
$53 72
$55 98
58 20
$58 85
S59 85
$63.25
T/L175/70R13 82H $40 53 T/L155SR12
T,L 185.V0R13 85H _ $43.22 T/L l$5SRl 3
T/L 185/70R14 87H $47.05 T/L 165SR13
T,L 195/70R14 90H $50.48 T/L185SR14
T/L205/70R14 93H S55 48 TL165SR15
_?33 16
S37.47
$39.42
$42.95
S42.88
T/L 195.50R15 ?1V S1Q5.15
T/L 205/50R15 85V $123 02
LL225.50R15 90V S147.48
T/L 205. 55R 16 88V $145 22
T L205, 50R16 86V $120 60
T/L 225. 50R16 92V $153 23
T/L 195/60R14 85 H
T/L 205 60R14 87H
T/L225/60R14 S1H
T/L 195/60R15 86H
T/L 205/60R15 87H
T/L 215/60R15 90H
RVICE SPECIALS
Monroe
Gas Shocks
$2195
plus installation
J63 64
S67.53
S72.1S
$79 50
$7095
$75" 75
S83 3:
Oil Change
Lube & Filter
Ct 95
Free Brake
Inspection
e?l6* *
5 Qt. Max
BRAKES
$6995
5 Qt. Max
(Most Cars & Light Trucks)
Most Cars
Semi Metallic Pads Extra
Computer Wheel
Alignment
s24.95 s29.95
k Front End Thrust Alignment
Michelin
N.C. Insp
[Transmission Maintenance
s3995
Replace Fluid
Pan Gasket & Filter
(Most Cars) >
'Dunlop & Q^^y^rGoodvear
JCtion Station
Highway 17 North, Shallotte ? 754-7231
Hwy. 17 N., North Myrtle Beach, SC ? 1-803-272-3875
Also Located In Whiteville, Bolton, JNflyrtle Beach & J_umberton