Wilmington North Carolina Archives

North Carolina boat shows

North Carolina boat shows are tough to beat.

SEPTEMBER STARTS THE BIG BOAT SHOW SEASON in Newport, Rhode Island, but you don’t have to travel that far north to get your boat show fix. North Carolina will host the 2nd Annual Wilmington Boat Show September 8-10 in Wilmington, North Carolina. After a successful first run with more than 70 vendors and great attendance, everyone is excited about a bigger and better event this year. The show takes place in multiple locations, including the Wilmington Convention Center, Port City Marina and The Shell and Battleship North Carolina. For more information, including a list of vendors and advance ticket purchase, go to wilmingtonboatshow.com.

If your interests are specifically in wooden boats, there are more North Carolina boat shows for you. The 8th Annual Southport Wooden Boat Show will be held Saturday, September 30th at the Old Yacht Basin in Southport. A record number of attendees are expected at the show to view boats in and out of the water. For a unique experience, Duke Energy sponsors an Educational Pavilion that supports the show’s mission: “To promote interest in and disseminate knowledge of the craft and art of wooden boat construction, to support efforts to preserve wooden boat construction and skills, and to celebrate the region’s maritime and boatbuilding history.”

The North Carolina Aquarium and Fort Fisher Underwater Archeological Branch will also contribute interesting exhibits for attendees’ enjoyment. Don’t miss the “Taste of Cape Fear” and Ship’s Store tents featuring local seafood dishes and numerous vendors offering nautical-related products. Show details can be found at southportwoodenboatshow.com.

By Bob Arrington Southern Boating, September 2017, Photo by Chris Schnell

SUP? West Marine Carolina Cup

SUP, y’all? The West Marine Carolina Cup, that’s SUP.

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, becomes “SUP Central” April 19-23 with the world’s largest Stand-Up Paddle Board Race. In its seventh year, the 2017 West Marine Carolina Cup is expected to draw more than 900 paddlers to compete. Race organizers list five courses: a kid’s race, the Harbor Island Recreational “fun” race, Money Island open race, the six-man outrigger race, and the renowned Graveyard Elite Race. The event also features clinics with something for everyone from beginning paddlers to the experienced.

You won’t want to miss this five-day beach SUP Festival and Expo with fun for the whole family.

Additional information is available at wrightsvillebeachpaddleclub.com/carolina-cup.

When Hurricanes Come, the U.S. Coast Guard Goes Inland

With Hurricane Matthew barreling towards the coastal town of Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class James Prosser and his wife, Nicole, made the seemingly right decision to send their two young children out of harm’s way to the inland city of Lumberton. Little did they know that the small inland town was also going to take a beating.

Feeling confident about his choice (Lumberton is located almost 90 miles from the coast) Officer Prosser resumed his duties at the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. Imagine his surprise the following weekend when he received news that floodwaters in Lumberton were rising rapidly while his children were at their grandparents’ home without running water or electricity.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class James Prosser and Master Chief Petty Officer Louis Coleman load Coleman’s trailer with donations during Hurricane Matthew at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington, Oct. 16, 2016.

“Lumberton has been the go-to safe haven during hurricanes for me and my family for about eight years now,” says Prosser. “But after the town was battered by Hurricane Matthew, following two weeks of unusually high rainfall, it became a dangerous place where water was suddenly filling the streets.” By Monday morning, the levee protecting Lumberton had broken, and Prosser was working feverishly with members of the sector command to determine how to best bring his children home.

“They [local officials] were confused as to why we were headed into town at first, but as soon as we explained why we needed to get in, they let us through,” says Prosser. “Most people were trying to leave town, not get in, and we began to see why. Damage from the hurricane became much more evident the closer we got to Lumberton, but I was blown away by the damage we encountered when we got within city limits.”

It quickly became clear that the area was too flooded to continue by truck. Luckily, Prosser and a fellow officer encountered water rescue teams from New York and New Jersey. Prosser found the town unrecognizable and struggled to get his bearings. “Eventually we approached a church that looked familiar. We saw helicopters overhead with people dangling from cables. They were hoisting people from the flooded waters to safety,” he adds.

Prosser was finally able to reach the children via SUV. “When we got there, my two children came running out the door,” says Prosser. “While it was a huge relief to know they were safe at that moment, I knew we were all still in danger. We needed to get out of there as quickly as possible, before we got trapped by floodwaters.” Meanwhile, Prosser and additional officials strongly encouraged others to evacuate the dangerous area. As part of the North Carolina family, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina personnel will continue their response to Hurricane Matthew’s aftermath and the subsequent flooding throughout the region.