Latest news with #USCoastGuard
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Former pro baseball player dies trying to save swimmers off South Carolina
A former professional baseball player and father of three died while trying to save swimmers from a rip current off the coast of South Carolina on Sunday, authorities said. Chase Childers, who was briefly signed by the Baltimore Orioles, entered the water around 4:45 p.m. to help a group of four or five swimmers as they struggled against the current off Pawleys Island, a coastal town roughly 45 minutes south of Myrtle Beach by car, according to the Pawleys Island Police Department. "He died trying to save others," the police department said of Childers, who had gone into the ocean with another person. Childers was the only swimmer missing when authorities arrived at the scene, according to police. Around 6:15 p.m., after a search by officers, fire officials and members of the U.S. Coast Guard, his body was recovered. Childers was a Major League Baseball player drafted to the Baltimore Orioles in 2009, according to the league. He went on to play minor league baseball before later serving for several years as a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia, according to a GoFundMe campaign created to support Childers' family. Rip currents are powerful channels of water that flow rapidly and are often seen along all coasts of the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration writes on its website, noting that these currents can move at speeds of up to 8 feet per second. Swimmers risk drowning when they fight against rip currents while trying to return to shore, according to NOAA. The National Weather Service warns that they are the deadliest and most common hazard swimmers face in waters off North and South Carolina. "The Town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend. We pray for the family members and offer our condolences," wrote Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry in a social media post, acknowledging reports that suggested a rip current caused the drowning. He said the town "urges caution when entering the water at any time and alertness of the ocean's currents, particularly during high surf." A town council in Pawleys Island will evaluate ways to reduce the risks of future drownings, including by educating tourists about rip currents and the potential threats they pose, Henry added. "While Pawleys Island beaches are consistently rated as some of the best on the entire East Coast, we would like them to be known as the safest as well," he added. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska Solve the daily Crossword


Fox News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Former Georgia police officer dead after saving 5 in beach rip current
A decorated former police officer and ex-Baltimore Orioles minor league player tragically died while rescuing swimmers from a rip current off the coast of South Carolina. Chase Childers, 38, is being called a hero after he drowned while trying to help several swimmers in distress near Pawleys Island in South Carolina on July 13. The former police officer was not the only one to go help the swimmers, but unlike the others, Childers did not return to shore. Emergency responders recovered Childers' body approximately 90 minutes after the initial distress call was made. "We would like to provide additional information on Sunday's incident. The victim, Chase Childers, and another person entered the water to help 4-5 individuals who were in distress. Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught in the rip current, as well. He died trying to save others," Pawleys Island Police Department wrote in a statement on X. The police department also noted that Midway Fire Rescue participated in the search, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, which was also on the scene. Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry posted about the incident on his Facebook page, saying that the town was "saddened" by the incident and offering prayers to the family. The mayor also thanked first responders "who worked tirelessly to recover the victim and bring comfort to the family." "We regret the recent drownings and town council will investigate all means available to mitigate the risk of future occurrences, including efforts to educate visitors on the dangers of rip currents," Henry wrote. While he used the word "drownings," there is no indication that anyone other than Childers died in the incident on July 13. A GoFundMe page set up in memory of Childers has surpassed its fundraising goal with more than $104,000 in donations. The page says the funds are meant to support Childers' wife, Nataley, and their children as they "try to heal from the painful loss of Chase, who was tragically taken from this world far too soon and will always be remembered as a hero." During his time as an officer in Cobb County, Ga., Childers received a lifetime achievement award. The GoFundMe page notes that he earned the award for "saving several lives," though it does not go into further detail.


CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Former pro baseball player Chase Childers dies trying to save swimmers off South Carolina
A former professional baseball player and father of three died while trying to save swimmers from a rip current off the coast of South Carolina on Sunday, authorities said. Chase Childers, who was briefly signed by the Baltimore Orioles, entered the water around 4:45 p.m. to help a group of four or five swimmers as they struggled against the current off Pawleys Island, a coastal town roughly 45 minutes south of Myrtle Beach by car, according to the Pawleys Island Police Department. "He died trying to save others," the police department said of Childers, who had gone into the ocean with another person. Childers was the only swimmer missing when authorities arrived at the scene, according to police. Around 6:15 p.m., after a search by officers, fire officials and members of the U.S. Coast Guard, his body was recovered. Childers was a Major League Baseball player drafted to the Baltimore Orioles in 2009, according to the league. He went on to play minor league baseball before later serving for several years as a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia, according to a GoFundMe campaign created to support Childers' family. Rip currents are powerful channels of water that flow rapidly and are often seen along all coasts of the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration writes on its website, noting that these currents can move at speeds of up to 8 feet per second. Swimmers risk drowning when they fight against rip currents while trying to return to shore, according to NOAA. The National Weather Service warns that they are the deadliest and most common hazard swimmers face in waters off North and South Carolina. "The Town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend. We pray for the family members and offer our condolences," wrote Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry in a social media post, acknowledging reports that suggested a rip current caused the drowning. He said the town "urges caution when entering the water at any time and alertness of the ocean's currents, particularly during high surf." A town council in Pawleys Island will evaluate ways to reduce the risks of future drownings, including by educating tourists about rip currents and the potential threats they pose, Henry added. "While Pawleys Island beaches are consistently rated as some of the best on the entire East Coast, we would like them to be known as the safest as well," he added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Illegal charter in Madeira Beach shut down by U.S. Coast Guard
Video: The U.S. Coast Guard offloads 48,400 pounds of illegal drugs in Florida. MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — The U.S. Coast Guard shut down an illegal charter carrying 40 passengers near Madeira Beach Sunday. The Coast Guard Station Sand Key law enforcement crew said it investigated the 50-foot boat and found several violations, including that it was under the control of a captain who was unable to produce a license. Will TSA alter liquid travel rules? Noem teases changes at Hill Nation Summit Other violations included the following: Failure to have a valid Certificate of Inspection Failure to have sufficient life jackets on board Failure to have a valid Certificate of Documentation on board Failure of crew enrolled in a drug testing program The 40 passengers were escorted back to the Cambria Hotel after the charter's voyage was terminated, according to authorities. 'The Coast Guard regulates passenger vessel operations to ensure public safety. We urge anyone paying for a trip on a vessel to verify the vessel's captain has a Merchant Mariner Credential and a Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers,' said Brian Knapp, chief of investigations at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. 'If the captain can't produce their license, do not get on the boat.' According to the Coast Guard, owners and operators of illegal charter boats can face civil penalties of over $60,000. Failure to operate a passenger vessel without a merchant mariner credential can cost operators up to $22,324 alone. Anyone suspecting a vessel of violating the law is asked to report it to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 727-502-8720. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tsunami advisory canceled after 7.2 magnitude earthquake off Alaska
A tsunami advisory for Alaska's southern peninsula has been canceled, after a major earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 initially prompted a tsunami warning earlier Wednesday. Videos posted to social media showed people in the town of Seward evacuating to higher ground after receiving a tsunami warning in the afternoon. The alert followed the earthquake that struck about 50 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska, at around 12:38 p.m. local time, according to the National Weather Service. Multiple aftershocks were reported near Sand Point, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska said it was evacuating personnel at its base in Kodiak to higher ground, but later stood down the response after the threat passed. Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning and later downgraded it to an advisory, which warns people to stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways. Dave Snider, a tsunami warning coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told CBS affiliate KTUU-TV that large, widespread waves weren't expected. "The good news is this event happened in shallow water," Snider told KTUU. "We're not expecting to see a large inundation of water coming up on shore." The depth of the earthquake was approximately 12 miles, according to NOAA. The impacted areas spanned the Kennedy Entrance, a channel that connects the Gulf of Alaska to Cook Inlet, to Unimak Pass, which is just to the west of Unimak Island at the end of the peninsula. They may see small sea level changes, NWS Anchorage said. There was no danger to Anchorage, the state's most populous city. The quake was felt throughout the Alaska Peninsula and southern Alaska, the Alaska Earthquake Center said. Earlier in the day, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake also struck the region. It was located approximately 40 miles southeast of Atka Island, the earthquake center said. Alaska's southern coast is situated along the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire." The strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America occurred there in March 1964, when a 9.2-magnitude earthquake devastated Anchorage and unleashed a tsunami that killed more than 250 people. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska