05/19/2026
** Attention Boaters **
Low water near Hardy Ford Boat Launch is extremely hazardous!
Last night, the Hardy Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched along with SML Marine Fire & Rescue for a watercraft emergency with 2 boating occupants grounded in the shallow water 125 yards away from the Hardy Ford Boat Launch. Chief 12 established command with Engine12 and began working with the volunteer responders on multiple attempts to free the boat. The deep mud impeded attempts to reach the boat from the shore and ropes were deployed from the shore to the boat for further efforts. Company 11 arrived with 3 personnel and launched a watercraft to assist from the water. After attempts to free the boat using the Co11 watercraft were unsuccessful, Utility12 was dispatched to the far shore where joint efforts were able to help pull the stuck boat back towards the channel to where Co11 could successfully tow it back to the boat launch.