June 6, 2018
Starting May 1 and usually ending on September 1, the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) conducts daily All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) sea turtle nest beach patrols from the Virginia/North Carolina state line to South Nags Head at the northern beginning of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The area is broken up into 5 ATV routes, Corolla North, Corolla South, Duck, Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.
Recently the ATV driver of the Corolla North route was conducting her patrol and experienced a “loud noise” from the ATV and the vehicle shut down. After phone calls were made it was determined that the ATV may have to be towed from the beach. Marissa Bijarro, Citizen Science Specialist of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission sprang into action by meeting up with the ATV driver and they finished the sea turtle patrol in her vehicle. Marissa contacted the Currituck non-emergency center notifying them of the situation of the broken down ATV on the beach.
On Marissa’s return to the location of the disabled ATV she noted a Currituck County Sheriff vehicle parked at the site. It was Deputy Sheriff Justin Cartwright who immediately started asking questions about the situation and discovered the cause of the problem with the stranded ATV. It was determined that the ATV was not drivable and would have to be towed from the beach.
Marissa left the beach to secure a tow strap which took a couple of hours. Upon her return sure enough Deputy Cartwright was still at the scene and expertly secured the ATV to the tow strap, gave advice on towing the ATV and followed the secured ATV down the beach.
Deputy Cartwright securing the tow strap to the N.E.S.T. ATV with Corolla ATV coordinator Debbie
Corolla N.E.S.T. ATV coordinator Debbie and Deputy Sheriff Cartwright
From left: N.E.S.T. member Margaret, Peggy, NC Wildlife Resource Commission Marissa presenting N.E.S.T. certificate of appreciatioon to Deputy Justin Cartwright and Debbie, Corolla N.E.S.T. ATV coordinator
N.E.S.T. would like to thank Currituck County Deputy Sheriff Justin Cartwright for his concern, much needed help and going the distance in getting the issue of the disabled N.E.S.T. ATV resolved. His efforts in exhibiting the “extra mile” is appreciated. SALUTE!