South Carolina General Assembly
116th Session, 2005-2006

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Bill 4146


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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

EXPRESSING THE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO BEN DEGIDUS AND RICHARD SMITH FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING COURAGE AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS DEMONSTRATED WHEN THEY RESCUED JOSH LONG AND TONY DRISCOLL AT SEA OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, on April 24, 2005, Josh Long and Troy Driscoll planned to fish for sharks off the beach of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina; and

Whereas, plans were to fish in the gully located near the shore but within minutes of launching their recently acquired boat named Under Construction, Josh and Troy were swept out to sea due to strong winds and currents; and

Whereas, that evening when Josh and Troy failed to return home on time, their parents notified local law enforcement; and

Whereas, on the morning of April 25, 2005, the truck and trailer used to tow the boat were found near Station 30, Sullivan's Island and within minutes a multi-jurisdictional land, sea, and air search was initiated; and

Whereas, without delay, family, friends, churches, volunteers, and local businesses joined the search efforts; and

Whereas, as the days quickly turned to nightfall and the reality of finding Josh and Troy alive began to fade, rescuers refused to stop the search and the entire community continued to rally around the families and support the extensive search efforts; and

Whereas, on the afternoon of April 30, 2005, Josh and Troy's boat was spotted by two fishermen, Ben Degidus of Florida and Richard Smith of New York, approximately seven miles off the coast of Cape Fear, North Carolina; and

Whereas, Degidus and Smith, who were returning to port in their vessel Renegade, responded to the boy's weakened cries and waves for help, and the two fishermen approached the small boat and rescued Josh and Troy; and

Whereas, they found the young men to be dehydrated, exhausted, sunburned, and hungry but with a faith which remained strong, the crew of the Renegade radioed the United States Coast Guard for assistance and Josh and Troy were met and transferred to a Coast Guard boat and transported to Wilmington, North Carolina, for medical care. Their families were notified of the successful rescue and the young men were able to speak with their parents while returning to port; and

Whereas, Ben Degidus and Richard Smith demonstrated outstanding courage, selflessness, and concern for others as a result of this heroic rescue at sea, and Josh Long, Troy Driscoll, their families, friends, rescue workers, and the entire coastal community and the State of South Carolina are forever grateful for their rescue efforts; and

Whereas, the members of the House of Representative are pleased to have the opportunity to recognize their heroism upon the rescue of two special citizens of our State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, commend Ben Degidus of Florida and Richard Smith of New York for their outstanding courage and concern for others demonstrated upon the rescue at sea of Josh Long and Troy Driscoll on April 30, 2005.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Ben Degidus and Richard Smith.

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