Article contentChant said the waves were higher than they looked in video of the rescue posted on social media. Where he was located to watch the rescue on land, there were times where the rolling waves hid the boat as Chant watched.Article content“They maneuvered and threw a drop bag off the boat. They had to be really careful that the waves didn’t push the boat over the victim,” Chant said.Article content“They threw the bag by the victim to get the boat out of the question and he was able to hold onto it … and get pulled next to the boat.”Article contentChant said the rescue was due to police and fire services working well together and the quick response to the scene.Article contentIt is unclear how the teenage male came to have the piece of driftwood with him. Chant said they received conflicting information from people on the shore.Article content“I don’t know how the log plays into this,” he said. “But I know one thing, it saved his life.”Article contentArticle content The Canadian Environment and Natural Resources Marine Weather map forecasts a warning for all areas around Cape Breton Island and most of Nova Scotia on Aug. 24. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentHURRICANE SEASON WORRIESArticle contentThere has been a warning of strong rip currents along the Eastern coast for a few days, said Chant, who was interviewed by The Coast radio station last week.Article content“I was talking to Coastal radio a day prior to this call and one of the things he called me about was the wave conditions due to the hurricane and did I have any concerns,” he said.Article content“That was one of the concerns, the rip currents and the swimmers. Twenty-four hours later and we’re rescuing somebody.Article contentHurricanes affect the ocean currents whether they bring bad weather or not and finding out if warnings are in place is a good idea before heading for the beach, said Chant.Article contentSome online resources for finding rip current warnings include the Government of Canada’s Marine Weather Forecast and television news weather reporter.Article contentHurricane season in Atlantic Canada is from June 1 to Nov. 30 and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted it will be an above-average season. This is because the Atlantic Canada is warmer than average.Article contentArticle contentWith this, Chant worries about people taking unnecessary risks during severe storms because there are times when emergency and rescue services can’t be deployed.Article content“It’s surprising what people will do in the worst weather possible,” said Chant.Article content“During Fiona, we had people actually standing on the banks along the Hub area, First up to Ninth street or first to Eighth street up the Hub, getting as close as they could to the bank and leaning over the wind would keep them up and they were posting videos of it online.Article contentChant thinks people taking risks like this aren’t aware of the possible consequences of their actions.Article content“We’ve seen some people take some very crazy risks,” he said.Article content“There are issues with hurricanes, we can’t even launch our boats. So, if someone does fall in the water, it will be very difficult to find them. If someone falls over the banks, it will be very difficult to try and rescue for a high wire rescue or water rescue when the winds are 100 km plus.”Article content
Teen rescued from ocean rip current off coast of Cape Breton
