Many people were worried that not dredging inlets on the coast would lead to a dangerous summer. Well, one U.S. Marine is very glad that Congress and the Corps of Engineers came up with some cash for that work this spring. That's because the Corps' dredge "Merritt," which has been cleaning out New River Inlet, saved a life last week. A person decided to dive into the inlet, but got caught in the fast-moving water. Fortunately the "Merritt's" crew spotted the man as he was being swept out to sea, turned around, and pulled him aboard. North Topsail Beach police say the man was not hurt, but they were quick to point out that swimming in any coastal inlet is very dangerous and that they had one drowning just last summer in that same spot.
