OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — While the water is cool and the beaches are bare, the Oak Island Water Rescue team is taking the opportunity to sharpen their skills.
Several new members of OIWR along with its leadership team were out at the 55th Street boat ramp on Thursday night. They were practicing launching and docking boats, navigating in the dark, and operating a new drone.
“Our nighttime training is important because obviously emergencies don’t only happen during the day and some of our more challenging emergencies have happened at night,” said Carl Mauney, OIWR Chief. “It’s super important that we come out here and be familiar with all the waterways as they look in the day but as the tide changes, the waterways change also — the small tributaries, the small creeks, those sorts of things.”
Carl Mauney assumed the role as chief in January after serving on the team since 2016. However, Mauney has more than three decades of experience working in fire rescue as a career and as a volunteer.
Although OIWR is a volunteer organization, its volunteers bring decades worth of experience in emergency services to the table.
“It’s not like they don’t have a prior history. They’re bringing their experience into the community of Oak Island and its paying off greatly,” said Mauney.
Lieutenant James Beadle oversees training. He joined the team more than two years ago after serving on a water rescue team and as a volunteer EMT in Virginia.
“We have some cool toys and have a lot of fun, but the heart of our mission is giving back to the community and helping to make a safer experience for residents and visitors to Oak Island,” said Beadle.
The experience working on OIWR, along with its members, is something Chief Mauney calls unique.
“They’re giving up time from their families, their hobbies, their jobs. They come out and they train regularly. They’re available to respond on calls,” said Mauney. “It’s just really neat to work with people so dedicated to the community.”