Wash. Twp. man rescued after his kayak overturns

This guy was lucky.


Wash. Twp. man rescued after his kayak overturns



New Jersey Press Media • September 6, 2011


VINELAND — A 42-year-old kayaker was plucked from the swift current of the Maurice River thanks to his cellphone, GPS and local firefighters.



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Vineland fire companies 2 and 6 were dispatched at 11:39 a.m. Saturday to the river, about a quarter-mile south of Sherman Avenue, according to Fire Capt. Robert Scarpa.
A Washington Township man was unable to right his kayak after it overturned. Having secured his cellphone in a watertight container, the kayaker was able to call 911, where officials used GPS to track the call. The dispatcher directed firefighters to the exact bend in the river where they could find the kayaker, Scarpa said.
The Downe Township Fire Rescue Dive Team and the Malaga Dive Team responded to the call, which is common protocol for water rescues.
Vineland firefighters were able to get their boat into the water and rescue the kayaker.
Downe responders helped get everyone safely back to shore, Scarpa said, noting Hurricane Irene had intensified the strength of the river current.
The kayak was secured and returned to the riverbank.
The kayaker told firefighters he had entered the water at 5 a.m. Saturday and paddled down to Union Lake in Millville, where he spent some time fishing.
He was nearly back to his entry point when his kayak flipped.