Smith Point Sea Rescue has pulled people from the water after boats capsized, found lost boaters and rescued boaters when their batteries have died or engines have failed. Visit the Photo Place

Fishing derby aids water rescue organization

On eve of big fundraising Fishing Derby, Smith Point Sea Rescue continues service on water

Date published: 6/9/2009

By Rob Hedelt

THESE rescuers run missions in heavy seas and high winds, through the dark and around shoals that could crush their boat bottoms like eggshells.

The volunteers of Smith Point Sea Rescue, based in Reedville, have pulled people from the water after vessels capsized, found lost boaters all across the Chesapeake Bay and rescued folks from dead batteries, failed engines and groundings hundreds of times over 35 years.

"We're organized much like your land-based volunteer rescue squads, but our territory is out on the water," said Captain Buddy Sylvia. "We are there to help those in need however we can."

On the eve of the group's 26th annual Fishing Derby Friday and Saturday at Buzzards Point Marina, now's a good time for a look at the group.

For decades, anglers from the Fredericksburg area and all across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula have flocked to the Chesapeake Bay to fish for fun and tens of thousands in prize money.

At first, it was called the Bluefish Derby, and the draw was catching big blues. When their numbers declined, it became the Fishing Derby, with anglers seeking striped bass, croaker and bluefish.

EARLY DAYS

Retired druggist and former menhaden boat captain Wendell Haynie was one of the charter members of Smith Point Sea Rescue.

The group was formed after a harrowing rescue in the fall of 1973, when a recreational boat went down near Reedville.

As the boater clung to his vessel with two small children, others in their own vessels joined the Coast Guard in the effort that saved the trio on the chilly night.

Those local boaters realized there was need for an organized, ever-present group.

Smith Point Sea Rescue eventually became a group that took boat-rescue calls 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Haynie said rescue boats were eventually donated and purchased, with volunteers trained to find and bring back stranded boaters.

"Back then, there weren't VHF radios, cell phones and GPS units, which make getting and responding to calls easier today," he said.

Then, he said, calls often came from relatives reporting boaters overdue, with little clue as to exactly where the boat might be.

WHAT: Smith Point Sea Rescue's 26th annual Fishing Derby WHEN: Friday and Saturday; final registration noon-8 p.m. Thursday. WHERE: Buzzards Point Marina in Reedville, at the tip of the Northern Neck, about 90 miles from Fredericksburg. WHY: For fun and more than $30,000 in cash prizes. Categories measuring skill and for female or young anglers add chances to win. WHAT ELSE: The Ray Pittman Project plays at the marina Friday, 8 p.m.-midnight, Casper plays the same hours Saturday. INFO: 804/453-3660, e-mail fishn777@aol.com or smithpointsearescue.com.

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Date published: 6/9/2009

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