Sat., Aug. 1, 2009 Butler’s Patrol
Saturday, August 1 turned out to be a wild day for in-water rescues on the Delaware River. The NPS reported four rescues that day, one of which involved the NCSP. The others were handled by various local municipalities.
That morning, about six of us met at Zane Grey to get our assignments. The NPS had decided that they did not want us to be on the water in boats, because of the water level, which was predicted to crest at around 9 feet that afternoon. So, we decided to do a shore based patrol at the Shohola access (just above the bridge). Upon arriving there, we quickly realized that given the swollen size of the river, and because we didn’t have boats, we probably couldn’t expect to do much in providing assistance. So, three of us decided to split off, and do a shore based patrol at Butler’s Hole, by walking down the trail from Route 97 above. We cleared the plan with NPS dispatch, and off we went.
The trail down was relatively long, and then, at the bottom, we walked about a quarter mile downstream to below Butler’s Hole. We had a great view of the river from outcrops and the old D & H canal bed. We were there for perhaps a little over an hour when people in rafts going by started yelling that people were stuck in the trees upstream, on the Pennsylvania side. This probably was around 2:00. We radioed in the information to dispatch, and proceeded upstream on foot, in order to access the situation. As we got to where we could see around the bend in the river, up the Pennsylvania side, we saw a NPS power boat maneuvering in near the island, which had become a minagery of flooded trees. Vince was piloting, and an intern, Chris was assisting him. They quickly came over to the New York side, where Tony Broadwater and I met them, and hopped in.
We crossed the river in the power boat to the flooded trees on the Pa. Side. There, in the trees, was a blue Silver Canoe raft, with four people in it. The front compartment was deflated. There were two parents, a daughter and her new husband. Vince’s only instructions to Tony and I were to “Okay, work your magic”. I was on the side closest to the raft, so I prepared to exit the boat. The boat was about 15 feet from the raft in the trees, and was just able to hold its position in the current, partly due to engine problems. There was a clump of saplings next to the boat, and then an old log spanning about 12 feet to another clump, a few feet from the raft. I fixed a line to my Class V vest, and Tony took the other end, and I took a second smaller line for hauling. I walked about five feet, next to the downstream side of the log, and then the bottom dropped out. I floated in the current, and went hand over hand, sideways down the log to the other end. I stood on the clump there, and leaped onto the side of the raft, where the people helped pull me in.
We reconnoitered for about 10 minutes, since it was apparent that there was no easy solution. All agreed to go, one at a time, holding a rope and leaping into the water. The current would swing us into the stern end of the powerboat with Tony belaying in the bow of the boat. The first went well, but the boat ladder got away in the current. The next was a woman in her twenties, as she made it near the boat, lost one of her hands from the rope, and then lost the rope entirely, but Chris and Tony were able to grab her life vest and haul her in. Because of the engine problems, people were rescued two at a time, and taken to the N.Y. shore. I was last. I heaved their three packs into the powerboat, and then jumped in the water, finding out why the people had been challenged by the current.
As this was going on, Mike Wilk had taken care of the people as they were brought ashore. He had been a few steps behind Tony and I when the powerboat had come in, and so had not gotten aboard.
Since the boat had engine problems, the people had to be walked out. The walk went down the old D & H canal bed, and then up the trail to Route 97. We transported the people to Silver Canoe in Port Jervis, where they met up with the rest of their family with whom they had become separated at Butler’s Rift. It was 4:30 as we prepared to leave Silver Canoe, and we radioed in to dispatch to ask for any other assignments. Dispatch said we were free to leave, and we signed off. We turned in the radio at the Barryville NPS office, and then Mike, Tony and I held a brief post rescue meeting to share ideas and impressions, while they were still fresh in our minds. By Peter Van Slyke
Patrol: Tony Broadwater, Peter Van Slyke, Mike Wilk |
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FROM THE COMMODORE I hope we are all having a great summer. Spring rains and temperatures have stayed with us but river levels are great. Our 30th anniversary party was a huge success, a big thanks to Mary K Rhodes! Another big thanks to Troy and DeJay for the use of the school house, they are both a class act!
This Spring’s training format was a real winner. Hats off to the training staff for another outstanding performance. Thanks to Megan; she will be missed as Training Director and leaves some big shoes to fill.
The NCSP continues to grow and once again took a large roll in both the Delaware and Lehigh Sojourns. We are sending Crash and Mike Webster to a two week ACA instructor training course in August and will begin offering SWR instructor certifications soon after. We will post these in the fall newsletter and the website.
2010 will present the NCSP with many opportunities, but we need your help. We have some leadership changes; I will be stepping down along with Megan Duffy and Donna Ford. Megan and Donna have put in countless hours over the years and will be difficult to replace. We will have two major officer position open, Commodore and Treasurer. Troy Bystrom has been appointed by the board as interim Treasurer. If you are interested in running for any office, please let the board know before September 1, 2009. If you have question on the duties of each office please contact me and I will be glad to share the joys and sorrows of NCSP offices.
Have a great summer and paddle safe!
Bill Walters
Commodore, National Canoe Safety Patrol UDC Inc. |
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Well, we completed yet another training weekend to get us off to a roaring start of our 2009 season. I again would like to thank all the numerous instructors for their amazing performance this April! The new format of training was very well received and that is, in no small part, due to the teaching that our instructors delivered. Their hard work and preparation is a tribute to our organization. I was most pleased to see how the more intimate learning environments allowed for increased individual participation. That was the intent, and I think it worked!
Of course, there were many other supports that made the weekend run well – MaryK for our lunch, the veteran members who were recruited to provide safety, and of course my command staff (Joel, Donna, June, Hal, Crash, and Bill W.) whom I could always depend on! I know there must be others I am forgetting, because it takes an incredible (and large) team to pull off that annual event and we have been very fortunate to have so many people willing to step up to the plate.
I again want to thank you and Bill Walters for allowing me to be your training director for these past five years. I have only unofficially passed the baton, but I believe my successor will bring new and exciting ideas to our future training weekends, and I look forward to being a part of them!
Sincerely,
Megan Duffy
Training Director,
National Canoe Safety Patrol UDC Inc. |
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A stated objective of our Commodore and Board has been to achieve American Canoe Association (ACA) Swift Water Rescue (SWR) Instructor certification for a number of our teaching members. Previously this objective has been frustrated by a shortage of funds. Thanks in large measure to NPS’ Ingrid Peterec, we put together a grant request to NPS for funds to gain SWR Instructor certification for 6-8 qualified NCSP candidates. NCSP was awarded the grant! In discussions with Charlie Walbridge (the guru of river safety) to find a qualified IT (Instructor Trainer), "Special Buddy" Charlie very generously offered to certify two of our best as ACA SWR Instructor Trainers. The course will be in West Virginia or on “the Yock” for 7-10 days. These two will be able in turn to certify more than 6 NCSP folks as ACA SWR Instructors. A very heartfelt thanks to Ingrid and the NPS for making the grant request a reality. Also to Mike Webster and Crash O'Neill for stepping up to the challenge of IT certification. |
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