SPSR does not charge for its assistance, receives no government funding, operates off the funding it receives from donors Smith Point Sea Rescue had its origin in the heart and mind of Dr. Robert E. The desire to form this squad followed the successful rescue of a father and two young children. This threesome had spent a chilly November night hanging onto the bow of a sunken boat in the bay near R
eedville. In the fall of 1973, Dr. Beatley's dream came true. Smith Point Sea Rescue was born. Smith Point Sea Rescue, Inc. was officially organized in 1974 as a volunteer sea rescue service. Its 49 members comprise one of the last remaining all Volunteer Sea Rescue unit on the Chesapeake Bay. Members share duties year round, 24 hours a day to maintain equipment, conduct training, and respond to search and rescue missions and assist the boaters. Smith Point Sea Rescue covers the middle Chesapeake Bay between the Lower Potomac River and the Rappahannock River. All members are volunteers. Smith Point Sea Rescue has gone from rather humble beginnings, where members volunteered their boats as well as themselves, to its current formidable and prestigious unit. Today it has multiple boats it operates in providing services to the boaters of the Northern Neck. Presently serving Smith Point Sea Rescue is a
42 foot Provincial (Rescue I)
32 foot Carman (Rescue II)
27 foot Blackfin (Rescue III)
Several smaller boats for working in shallow water areas. Rescue I is kept on Cockrell's Creek off the Great Wicomico River, Rescue II is kept at Olverson's Lodge Creek Marina and serves the lower Potomac River. and Rescue III is kept at Smith Point Marina and servers the Little River and Smith Point areas. Smith Point Sea Rescue, receives no regular monetary support from any federal, state or local government agencies. Funds are derived from donations and fund raising events such as the Oyster Roast and an annual solicitation campaign. Smith Point Sea Rescue has a tax-exempt status [501 (c)3] from the Internal Revenue Service. Smith Point Sea Rescue has no paid or financially compensated employees or volunteers. Member compensation is in knowing they helped a fellow neighbor. Please consider donating to:
Smith Point Sea Rescue
PO Box 662
Burgess, VA 22432
Visit our WWW.SmithPointSeaRescue.com and use Pay Pal Giving. In response to several requests, Smith Point Sea Rescue has established an account with Davenport & Co. to accept donations of financial investments. Smith Point Sea Rescue, is pleased to help boaters in their time of need. It monitors VHF Channel 16. Sea Rescue may also be reached through the Northumberland Sheriff's office at 804-580-5221 or 911. Smith Point Sea Rescue does not charge for any assistance it provides boaters. Smith Point Sea Rescue.....
"there when needed."
