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From the September 20, 1997 edition of the Wilmington newspaper, Morning Star:

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Oak Island; Water rescue team sought as calls for help increase

A plan for a volunteer water rescue squad to serve Oak Island has sparked the interest of Long Beach Town Council members concerned about a sharp rise in water-related emergencies off the island. Arch Wilson, a volunteer fireman in Long Beach, and Mike Sullivan, a volunteer fireman in Yaupon Beach, say it's time for Oak Island to have a separate water rescue service.

Emergency calls from Oak Island's waters are routed to Long Beach's general rescue squad, the U.S. Coast Guard, Tri-Beach Water Rescue and rescue teams from Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle and Southport. "There's no water rescue team based on Oak Island," Mr. Wilson said. "And I think everyone has seen a need for it."

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The Coast Guard was called to Oak Island more than 35 times from January to August, while the Tri-Beach team - made up of volunteers from Holden Beach, Ocean Isle and Sunset Beach - came almost 25 times during the same period, he said.

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The Long Beach rescue squad answers shoreline emergencies but is not equipped with a boat. While most emergencies involve boats and water scooters, the island's only drowning this year involved someone swimming in rough waters, Mr. Wilson said. "We stand a better chance of getting to an emergency in five or six minutes," he said. "Anytime you're late doing a rescue in the water, you're no longer in the rescue mode. You're in the recovery mode."

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Some 25 volunteers from island fire departments, general rescue squads and police units have signed on for the proposed Oak Island Water Rescue Team, Mr. Wilson said. Each member would be certified by the Florida Department of Public Safety, the recognized leader in water safety. The squad would need $25,000 in start-up costs, including a truck, boat and water gear, he said. Earlier this month, the Long Beach Town Council said it would have to review the proposal in great detail before deciding whether to commit money.

Long Beach Mayor Joan Altman said the island's growing population, coupled with the proliferation of water scooters, has led to a sharp increase in calls for help from the shores of Oak Island. But a water rescue squad has not been worked into the town's budget, she said. "The council wants to proceed very carefully," Ms. Altman said. If there are not enough calls to keep a water rescue busy, interest would wane, she said. Council members need more information on how the water rescue team would affect the town's liability insurance and what its financial relationship with Yaupon Beach and Caswell Beach would be, she said.

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Long Beach Town Manager Jerry Walters said his office has not had time to get answers to these questions. "The key is to determine the value of this service and how we would pay for it," he said. Mr. Wilson said he has sent letters to Yaupon Beach and Caswell Beach explaining his proposal, but has not heard back. Although the water rescue volunteers will be soliciting businesses for donations, Long Beach funds will be needed, he said. "We're asking for money that would have to come from other places in their budget," Mr. Wilson said. "But we can get a boat in the water faster than any of the services available."

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Fast forward to 2021, for decades we’ve proven we can get a boat in the water faster than anyone else. While we provide the muscle, OIWR could not exist without the support of the guests and residents of Oak Island. Likewise, we would not exist without the continued excellent support of the leadership of the Town of Oak Island.