JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An off-duty Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter turned a birthday outing into a life-saving mission Saturday, swimming out to rescue three boaters clinging to their overturned vessel off Big Talbot Island.
Firefighter Otto Scherick was celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday with a walk along a trail to the beach when he heard screaming. JFRD says he sprinted to the shoreline and spotted the boaters waving for help from their capsized boat offshore.
Scherick swam out to reach them. Sizing up the current and conditions, he determined the group’s best option was to swim back to shore. With no life jackets on board, he disconnected the boat’s gas tank to use as a makeshift flotation device and guided the boaters toward land. A bystander also swam out and stayed with the group the entire way in.
Off-duty firefighter rescues boaters (JFRD)
The first call came in at approximately 10:47 a.m. Callers estimated the boaters were as far as 800 yards from shore. By 11:14 a.m. — just 27 minutes later — all three were safely back on land, where the C shift crew from JFRD Engine 66 met them. No injuries were reported.
JFRD Director and Fire Chief Percy Golden II praised Scherick’s response.
“Otto heard a call for help and ran toward it,” Golden said. “He didn’t have a radio, a crew, or any equipment, just his training and good judgment, and that was enough to bring three people to safety. That’s exactly who we want wearing this uniform. We’re proud of him and grateful he stepped up.”
JFRD is reminding boaters to wear a life jacket every time they are on the water. If someone is in distress, call 911 immediately and throw them something that floats. Only enter the water to help if trained to do so.
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