Editor’s note: The original story of this rescue was featured on SITREP, September 30 2006.  Please refer to this article in the “Past Featured Stories” section” for additional information and photos.

Auxiliarist Robinson

Auxiliarist Harold (Robbie) Robinson, Rear Commodore - Central, Fifth Northern District, is the recipient of the 2006 Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) Silver Medal.  The Silver Medal is awarded annually to a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarist for extraordinary bravery in a rescue at sea.  Robinson was the coxswain involved in the rescue of five people from the Delaware River.

During the morning of August 26, 2006, a grandfather, father and three small children had traveled from Penns Grove, New Jersey to Wilmington, Delaware on a shopping trip using a 19-foot canoe to make the crossing of the Delaware River.  Upon their departure from Wilmington, they encountered rough seas and strong winds. 

For fear of capsizing if they attempted to turn around, they continued toward the New Jersey shoreline.  As they proceeded, the vessel began to take on water.  Just before the canoe capsized, the grandfather called 911 and reported their situation.

Meanwhile, Coxswain Robinson (Flotilla49) and his crew consisting of Carol Owens (Fl 14), Susan Fitzgerald (Fl 18) and Robert Lindsay (Fl 44) had been on their lunch break at the Search and Rescue Detachment (SARDET) Wilmington, DE.  An emergency marine broadcast was received on channel 16 that a vessel may be swamping with four persons on board.

Upon receipt of the emergency call, the crew quickly traveled the Christina River to the Delaware River where, they too, encountered heavy seas.  Fitzgerald identified a pink object just off of the starboard bow.  Upon turning toward the sighting, they found three small children and two adults holding onto the canoe.

Rescue workers and Auxiliary crew helping the family

Robinson maneuvered the boat and the crew deployed flotation gear with lines attached and began lifting the children, ages 2 ½, 6 and 9 into the Auxiliary boat.  The two adults, the father and grandfather, were brought around to the stern and up the boarding ladder.

On the way back to the SARDET, the crew wrapped the shivering victims in blankets.  They had been in the water about 45 minutes and drifted about 1-1/2 miles north from where they had overturned.  Upon arrival at the SARDET, police and fire units were waiting to check out the victims.

Communications with Sector Delaware Bay were sometimes garbled and thanks to Mary Ann Rice (Fl 14), the watchstander who notified the police and ambulances, and Joseph Rzucidio, Auxiliary Radio Marcus Hook, who relayed radio traffic, communications were established with Sector Delaware Bay.  Robinson stated “This is another example of good coordination and teamwork between trained Auxiliarists that ended with a positive result.”