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Smith Point Sea Rescue

History of the Reedville Bluefish 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 30 members comprise the last remaining sea rescue unit on the Chesapeake Bay.

Members share duties year around, 24 hours a day to maintain equipment, conduct training, and respond to search and rescuemissions. Smith Point Sea Rescue covers the middle Chesapeake Bay between the Potomac River and the Rappahannock River. All members are volunteers.

Durning its 25 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 two boats to operate rescue services.

Presently serving Smith Point Sea Rescue is a new 42 foot Provencial (Rescue I) and a 23 foot Southwestern (Rescue II.)

Rescue I and Rescue II are kept on Cockrell's Creek off the Great Wicomico 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 Bluefish 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 Bluefish Derby

The idea of a Bluefish 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 Bluefish 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 bery 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 tournamtent.

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