Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
May 31, 2015 10:36 a.m.
Fernandina Beach Police Captain David Bishop reported at 7:56 a.m. this morning that there are no updates in the search for an apparent drowning victim. Despite onshore searches throughout the night, the missing 32 year old man has not been found.
Captain Bishop asks that if beach goers see objects in the surf, to please notify city police at 904-277-7342 Ext 1.
Police personnel coordinating with City Ocean Rescue, and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office continue to search the waters with Marine Units and lifeguards.
Bishop noted that without the close proximity of lifeguards to the scene of the accident, more lives could have been lost.
This whole situation is tragic. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the lifeguards. Many of these lifeguards are members of this community and have grown up here. Every single one of them knew of the danger the ocean can pose even the best swimmers. Not one of them paused but ran towards that ocean to save a stranger, or a few like yesterday. These young people will wake up today not thinking of those they saved but of the one that was lost. I know this feeling. I also know the loss they feel. I want every one of those lifeguards and safety personnel to know that without you things would have been much much worse. I want you to know that the courage and dedication to this community is not marked with anything tangible but with lives. It is because of them that people live. Not that they are lost. How easy it is to judge and criticize while remaining dry and safe on the sand. Thank you for the ones you save and for the ones that will not learn from this and will need to be saved. Everyone of you are a vital asset to this community. Thank you.
What a beautiful comment. Touched deeply by this, thank YOU.