RedactedNarrative: On Tuesday December 5, 2017 at approximately 1330 hours Operator took his 11 foot Islander Kayak to the Lockwood Folly Inlet to go fishing.  Operator told me that he had launched his kayak from Brown''s Landing at "the point" on Oak Island.  Operator told me that it was a nice calm day for fishing and that he felt comfortable going out that day in his kayak.  Once Operator launched his kayak he told me that the tide began to go out.  However, he still said that the water was calm at this time and that he could only hear the surf from outside the inlet. 
  
   At this time Operator stated that he thought he could take his kayak out in to the inlet and deeper water.  Once Operator got in to deeper water he realized that the current and surf was to rough for his kayak.  Operator told me that a series of 3-4 foot waves caused him to capsize his vessel.  He told me that he was unable to turn around and retreat to shallow water so he tried to paddle over the waves before they crested.  Operator told me that he was successful in paddling over the first two waves and that the third and fourth wave crested over the bow of his vessel.  Operator also told me that the fourth wave threw him out of the kayak.  Operator stated that he was able to swim back to the kayak and climb aboard.  Operator told me that he does not remember much after getting back in to the kayak.  
  
  According to police reports and Detectives at the Holden Beach Police Department Operator was recovered from the water by a nearby boater.  Operator was found unresponsive in the water laying on his back, wearing a personal flotation device.  Operator was airlifted to New Hannover Medical Center where he was treated for hypothermia and water in his lungs.  Operator was placed on the ventilator for a period of time due to his condition.  Medical staff stated that Operator had a body temperature of 86 degrees when he arrived.  Operator was released from the hospital later that week. 
  
  Operator''s Kayak was found the next day on December 6, 2017 near Holden Beach and Lockwood Folly Inlet.  The kayak was buried in sand and only a small portion could be seen.  The kayak was recovered by Holden Beach Maintenance department.   
  
  I spoke to Operator on Sunday December 10, 2017, he told me that he was doing much better and that he had almost fully recovered from the incident.  Operator explained everything that happened to him that day and said that he was glad he wore his life jacket.
  