ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – News4JAX rode along with the St. Johns Fire and Rescue and Marine Rescue crew Thursday as they were out on the water for the Fourth of July holiday, making sure people were safe.
“Know what you are doing,” was the message from rescue crews out on the water on Fourth of July.
While crews always hope no one gets hurt, that’s not always the case.
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Recently, the rescue team has helped dozens of people either caught in rip tides or wrecking their boats, but they said if people pay attention to the water and where they are going, they shouldn’t be a problem.
“Really we’re there for medical support and the water rescue and, you know, assistance that way,” Lieutenant Daniel Power said.
Lieutenant Power and his crew are there for the fun and also for the moments that maybe aren’t so fun.
Power said crews made several rescues Wednesday, as they experienced rip current conditions.
“We’ll say we probably had 15 to 20 assists yesterday, slash rescues. I would say probably that and maybe a little bit more,” Power said.
He said when alcohol and negligence mix, people get caught up. So, they help guide them out.
Another thing they watch out for are boat crashes, especially on the sandbars, that are sometimes hard to see.
While these first responders are trained in the waters, many aren’t, and that could cause problems.
“Definitely following the markers, the channel markers. If you stay in those guidelines, I feel like that’s the safe way but a lot of people don’t know. So they should definitely take the boater safety course,” Jasmine Nebitt said.
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This family, and their dog “Goose,” were happy to finally be getting on their boat and having some treats.
While the marine rescue crew watched to make sure they — and everyone else — were safe.
“I mean, this is July 4, it’s a big boat day. It’s a big beach day. And it’s gorgeous out so they’re gonna be here,” Power said.
The big piece of advice first responders want others to know is to go online and check the tides before they go out to the water.