"Copyright Southside Sentinal, used with permission."
Although they don’t know the names of the people who helped them when their small sailboat overturned on August 8, Joe Grimes and Eleanor Dunlap of Arlington said they are very thankful that so many people came to their rescue in the Rappahannock River just off Urbanna Creek.

Dunlap said people in four or five boats came to their rescue and helped them right their 19-foot boat. “We will probably never know their names, but they will always remain in our hearts,” said Dunlap.

Grimes said he and his wife, who are part-time residents of Urbanna, were trying to raise the main sail on their Flying Scott in light winds. He had failed to free the line controlling the boom and the boat turned off the wind. “Before I could get back to release the main sheet (line) and let the boom out, the wind filled the sail,” he said. “She [the boat] just went down like she was tired and wanted to go to sleep.”

When the boat hit the water the mast came off and the boat almost went completely over, or “turtled.”

Grimes and Dunlap were both wearing self-inflating life jackets, which inflate when a sensor gets wet. “That was the first time I’ve ever worn a life vest,” said Grimes. “Those types [of vests] don’t get in your way, and I can tell you they really work. I’ve learned my lesson I’ll always wear a life jacket.”

With Grimes and Dunlap in the water, three or four people got into the water and helped turn over the boat.

“The boat was full of water once we got it righted,” said Grimes. Bailing was difficult because the waves were breaking over the sides, which were just a few inches above water.

A 30-foot sailboat towed the stricken boat to the beach at Rosegill. Even when a thunderstorm came up, the rescuers continued to help get the boat on the beach and kept bailing, said Grimes. “Adults, teenagers and even an 8-year-old boy were helping. These people were so wonderful. It’s hard to describe how great everybody was.”

Later, another boat pulled the stricken sailboat to Bob Montague’s marina and a young man got in the water and pulled it the last few feet into a slip. “Now thats service,” said Grimes.

“To all the selfless folks who came to our rescue, Eleanor and I would like to say ‘thank you.’ Your kindness we will never forget,” said Grimes