Overturned Catamaran Rescued After Dangerous Waters Near Cumberland Island

CUMBERLAND ISLAND, GA – On Saturday, a multi-agency response led to the safe recovery of two individuals after their small catamaran overturned near Little Cumberland Island and Jekyll Island amid six-foot seas.

Lieutenant Wellner and Sergeant Duckworth of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), along with Cumberland Island Ranger Hayes, responded to the distress report. Despite the hazardous conditions, the two individuals managed to swim safely to the shore of Cumberland Island.

Ranger Hayes transported the pair from the beach to his vessel, then transferred them to Georgia DNR, who returned them to the Jekyll Island boat ramp where they had originally launched.

On July 8th, Lt. Wellner, Sgt. Duckworth, and Ranger Hayes returned to Little Cumberland Island, located the stranded vessel, and carried it out by hand. The catamaran was returned to the St. Marys boat ramp, where the boat’s owner—who had driven down from North Carolina—was reunited with his vessel.

This incident marks the third marine distress call the department has responded to since the Fourth of July.