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Off-duty firefighter rescues boaters (JFRD)<\/p>\nJACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
Firefighter Otto Scherick was celebrating his girlfriend\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Scherick swam out to reach them. Sizing up the current and conditions, he determined the group\u2019s best option was to swim back to shore. With no life jackets on board, he disconnected the boat\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Off-duty firefighter rescues boaters (JFRD)<\/p>\n
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. \u2014 just 27 minutes later \u2014 all three were safely back on land, where the C shift crew from JFRD Engine 66 met them. No injuries were reported.<\/p>\n
JFRD Director and Fire Chief Percy Golden II praised Scherick\u2019s response.<\/p>\n
\u201cOtto heard a call for help and ran toward it,\u201d Golden said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t 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\u2019s exactly who we want wearing this uniform. We\u2019re proud of him and grateful he stepped up.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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