Submitted by Michele Long
What began as a relaxing Saturday, May 2, at Holly Beach turned into a dramatic rescue when Marissa Barber was swept far from shore while floating on a paddle board in the Gulf of America.
Responding to the emergency were Captain Morgan Dixon and Firefighter Kyle McGee of Cameron Parish Fire District #10, which serves Holly Beach and Johnson Bayou. Without hesitation, the two firefighters entered the water and swam through difficult conditions to reach Barber and remain with her until help arrived.
“She kept drifting and we didn’t want to stop, so we kept going after her,” said Captain Dixon.
After reaching Barber, Dixon and McGee stayed with her and the paddle board in the water until the Coast Guard arrived.
“It was insane what we did,” said Firefighter McGee. “It was a crazy swim.”
A U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Houston MH-65 helicopter aircrew responded to the scene and rescued Barber from about two miles offshore in the Gulf. The aircrew also hoisted the two Cameron Parish firefighters, who had donned personal flotation devices and swam out to assist. All three were transferred ashore with no injuries reported.
The rescue effort also involved close coordination between Cameron Dispatch, the Sheriff’s Department, and EMS, helping ensure a quick and organized response.
According to officials, two captains and two firefighters responded, with Captain Jeremy Burton serving as incident command and Firefighter Mitch Dixon acting as eyes and ears for the swimmers.
Despite the intensity of the rescue, both firefighters were humble about their efforts.
“We were just doing our job,” the firefighters said.
Holly Beach, located in Cameron Parish, is a popular destination along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. While paddle boards and inflatable devices can be fun, strong currents and offshore winds can quickly carry beachgoers far from land.
Thanks to the teamwork of Cameron Parish Fire District #10, Cameron Dispatch, the Sheriff’s Department, EMS, and the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Houston crew, Barber was safely returned to shore after a remarkable rescue off Holly Beach.