Oak Island uses new technology to help save swimmer

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — After recently training with new drone technology, the Oak Island Fire Department used it for the first time on Thursday to rescue a swimmer.

It happened just before 2:00 p.m., when emergency crews responded to a report of a swimmer in distress under the Oak Island Pier. The swimmer was reportedly near the pier when he became fatigued and climbed onto the pier pilings.

As members of the Ocean Recue Unit prepared to enter the water, the Drone Unit was deployed and in the air. The drone can carry rescue tubes, tether rope or self-inflating rescue tubes, which were used in this situation.

The Town of Oak Island says the drone was able to locate the swimmer within seconds using the infrared camera. It then dropped two auto-inflating rescue tubes as a precaution, which were used to help swim back to the Ocean Rescue Unit members waiting in the surf.

While the swimmer was safe, the Town of Oak Island is reminding everyone that swimming under, beside or immediately near a pier is prohibited and dangerous.

“Between fishing lines, fishing hooks, and larger predatory fish, there are many in-water hazards around a pier that can lead to serious personal injury. Additionally, crustacean growth, along with pushing waves and swift currents can make the pilings underneath a pier especially hazardous!” the Oak Island Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post.