HERO ROBERT J. SELFRIDGE III WAS AWARDED GOLD MEDAL BY COAST GUARD FOR SAVING LIVES OF CHILD AND MOTHER TRAPPED UNDER A BOAT

“THIS COULD BE A ONE-WAY TRIP….”

HERO ROBERT J. SELFRIDGE III WAS AWARDED GOLD MEDAL BY THE COAST GUARD FOR SAVING LIVES OF CHILD AND MOTHER TRAPPED UNDER A BOAT

(SPECIAL) U. S. Coast Guard

“This could be a one-way trip,” one eyewitness told rescuer Robert J. Selfridge III, 58, of Harvey Cedars, New Jersey, before he dove into the Barnegat Inlet on Aug. 7, 2022, to rescue a 4-year-old and her mother who were trapped inside the cabin of a capsized boat sinking off the Jersey coast. He was the fourth trained and experienced rescuer to attempt to swim under the gunwale of the boat and enter the cabin, but cold water, and limited visibility thwarted the efforts of the other three. Four-year-old Ryleigh Krause sat on her mother’s shoulders, and they both kept their heads above water in an air pocket inside the cabin. As the boat sank, the air pocket shrank, and water rose to the mother’s chin. Selfridge, an off-duty EMT, and volunteer lifeguard arrived at the scene on a WaveRunner to find rescuers using towboat lines to attempt to right the 23-foot-long boat. After determining those efforts were not working and racing against the setting sun, Selfridge told other rescuers, “We gotta go under,” and, borrowing a diving mask and taking several deep breaths, submerged, swimming under the gunwale and into the cabin. Maneuvering around broken railings and debris, Selfridge took Ryleigh from her mother, told her to take a deep breath, and, carrying her, swam out of the cabin, out from under the boat, and surfaced, the mother following. Selfridge sustained a broken finger but no life-threatening injuries.

Using the light from the mother’s cellphone, Selfridge could finally see that there was only about 20 inches of space left in the shrinking bubble. 

He put his hand on top of the girl’s head so she wouldn’t bump into anything, grabbed her life jacket and felt the mother tug at his shirt. She told her daughter to hold her breath, and the three dove down into the water, pushed up from the ground and popped up on the other side of the boat. — Asbury Park Press

from CARNEGIE HERO FUND COMMISSION

Chief Fred Grimste of the Barnegat Light (New Jersey) Volunteer Fire Company presented the Carnegie Medal to Robert J. Selfridge III at a ceremony held June 27 at his fire hall.

Selfridge, 58, of Harvey Cedars, New Jersey, received the Carnegie Medal for an Aug. 7, 2022, water rescue in which he rescued a woman and her 4-year-old daughter from drowning in the Barnegat Inlet off Island Beach State Park. The two were trapped in the cabin of a capsized boat, keeping their heads above water in an air pocket. 

As the boat sank, the air pocket shrank and water rose to the mother’s chin. Selfridge, an off-duty EMT and volunteer lifeguard, arrived at the scene on a WaveRunner to find rescuers using towboat lines to attempt to right the 23-foot-long boat. After determining those efforts were not working and racing against the setting sun, Selfridge told other rescuers “We gotta go under.” 

“This could be a one-way trip,” one eyewitness told Selfridge. 

He was the fourth trained and experienced rescuer to attempt to swim under the gunwale of the boat and enter the cabin, but cold water, and limited visibility thwarted the efforts of the other three. 

Borrowing a diving mask and taking several deep breaths, Selfridge submerged, swimming under the gunwale and into the cabin. Maneuvering around broken railings and debris, Selfridge took the girl from her mother, told her to take a deep breath, and, carrying her, swam out of the cabin, out from under the boat, and surfaced, the mother following. Selfridge sustained a broken finger but no life-threatening injuries.

“We are thankful to have him as a dedicated member of our fire company, and our community,” Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Company posted to Facebook. “Congratulations Bobby and thank you for all you do for us and the community!”