RedactedNarrative: On 4/8/2016 at approx. 1742 hrs  I received a call from McIntosh 911 reference to a capsized vessel in Sapelo Sound with victims in the water. 911 advised that a second vessel was rendering aid. I was at the DNR Law Enforcement dock in Meridian and was able to board our 24' Edgewater patrol vessel and head to the location of the incident.
  
  While on the way McIntosh 911 advised that the second vessel had capsized and there were 7 victims in the water. I acknowledged the information and advised that my ETA was approx. 10 mins. 911 further advised that the McIntosh County Fire/rescue was responding from Bellville boat ramp once they launched their vessel. I had to travel along the ICW to get to Sapelo Sound due to the negative low tides. At approx. 1812 I was able to tell 911 that I had the victims in sight and I was beginning to pull the victims into my vessel  in the middle of Sapelo Sound due north of High Point on the north tip of Sapelo Island.
  
  Due to the 4 and 5 foot seas I had to back up to the capsized vessels so I was close enough to leave the helm and grab the victims one at the time to pull them into my vessel. There were 7 people in the water, 3 on the first vessel I backed up to and 4 on the second. there were 4 juveniles ranging in age from 6 to 16. There were 3 adults, 2 male and 1 female. All the victims were suffering from various stages of hypothermia after being in the water for almost an hour. One of the juveniles was complaining of a hurt leg and shoulder due to being slammed into the boat by the rough seas. I was able to get a rain jacket on the youngest victim who was suffering the worst from hypothermia and shock. 
  
  Once I had everyone secured on my vessel, I advised 911 I was headed to Bellville Landing with all victims. After we passed the Mud River the McIntosh Fire/Rescue vessels were almost at my location coming from Bellville Landing. I pulled up to one of the Fire/Rescue vessels and transferred the two youngest juveniles and the adult female over to them for more advanced treatment of hypothermia. After they were secure we all headed to Bellville landing.
  
  At the landing we transferred some of the victims to McIntosh EMS vehicles and the rest to personal vehicles. All victims went to Brunswick Hospital for treatment or evaluation. All victims have since recovered.
  
  After talking with the occupants of the vessels, I found out they had went fishing earlier that day in Blackbeard Creek. They didn't anticipate the seas getting as rough as they did. When they started in they got into way rougher water than their small boats could handle. The fact that they had life jackets on board the vessels was critical to the positive outcome on the incident.
  