Marion County Fire Rescue crews successfully rescued a group of four individuals whose disabled vessel began rapidly filling with water while drifting down the Silver River.
The incident began on the night of Tuesday, June 16, at 9:18 p.m. when emergency dispatchers received a call from Ray Wayside Park. A boat carrying four occupants had begun taking on water while attempting to dock at the park’s launch. Before the boaters could successfully tie up, the vessel drifted away from the launch area as water filled the hull.
Marion County Fire Rescue units arrived on the scene at 9:28 p.m. to initiate the response. Firefighters rapidly prepared specialized equipment under the cover of darkness to launch a search.
The Special Operations Team deployed into the river to locate the stranded boaters and eventually located the waterlogged vessel after navigating through dark waters.
While the boat remained adrift, the four occupants had managed to safely make it to the shoreline approximately a quarter-mile downstream from the boat launch. After first responders pulled up to the bank, they loaded the individuals on board, and transported them back to the safety of the main launch area.
Once back on land, all four occupants were evaluated by staging medical personnel and declined further medical attention. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported among the boaters or the responding firefighters.
The incident drew a total of seven units to manage the scene, including Engine 1, Heavy Rescue 2, Rescue 528, Battalion Chief 2, Rescue 1, Boat 81, and Unit A105. Representatives for the agency credited the successful rescue to the quick response time and seamless teamwork of the arriving crews.