CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. — A rip current safety initiative is joining forces with coastal town officials to make changes.

“Float, Don’t Fight” launched in 2018 when Charles Austin Joy drowned in a rip current at Atlantic Beach.

He was in the water with his wife, Alison Joy, and their 6-year-old daughters, who survived.

Alison Joy said looking back, if the family had entered the water with flotation, her husband may still be here today.

“It’s almost mind-numbingly simple. And it’s so easy to prevent,” Joy said.

Her initiative is teaming up with officials at Pine Knoll Shores and Atlantic Beach to educate the public on how to responsibly enjoy the beach.

Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones said it all starts with flotation.

“A flotation device is important for everybody that goes to the beach because that’s not our natural environment. Our natural environment is on dry land so it’s best to have a flotation device,” Jones said.

Pine Knoll Shores will continue its 2019 program to lend boogie boards to the public and expand it by adding life vests. 

Jones said they are also working on installing a new beach access road near the Trinity Center exclusively for rescue crews.

Starting this summer, all four towns on the island; Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, and Atlantic Beach, will follow the same USLA flag warning guidelines.

Red flags universally mean no swimming.