Smith Point Sea Rescue

Smith Point Sea Rescue

Home of The Annual Reedville Fishing Derby

History of Smith Point Sea Rescue

    Smith Point Sea Rescue had its origin in the heart and mind of Dr. Robert E. Beatley and his wife, Vera. 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 Reedville. 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 40 members comprise the last remaining 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. Smith Point Sea Rescue covers the middle Chesapeake Bay between the Lower Potomac River and the Rappahannock River. All members are volunteers.

    During its 34 years, 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 three boats to operate rescue services.

    Presently serving Smith Point Sea Rescue is a 42 foot Provencial (Rescue I) a 22 foot Pamlico (Rescue II) and a 26 foot Mako (Rescue III.)
Rescue I and Rescue II are kept on Cockrell's Creek off the Great Wicomico River, while Rescue III is kept on the Coan River and serves the lower Potomac River.

    Smith Point Sea Rescue receives no monetary support from any state or governmental agency. Funds are derived from donations and fund raising events such as the Reedville Fishing Derby. Smith Point Sea Rescue has a tax-exempt status [501 (c)3] from the Internal Revenue Service.

    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.

The Reedville Fishing Derby

The idea of a Fishing Tournament was presented to the board of Smith Point Sea Rescue, who listened with much skepticism but, voted to go forward in 1984 with the first Reedville Fishing Derby. William W. Bonds was the tournament director and maintained that position until 1992, when Roger W. Wilkins took over as tournament director. The early years were very successful with all 500 positions filled each year until the big blues began to become scarce. The last few years have seen fewer entries but the Sea Rescue remains hopeful that enrollment will continue to be high enough to continue this popular tournament.