Neil Bush rescues stranded boaters

Neil is the fourth of George H.W. and Barbara Bush’s six children.

Former Presidents George H.W. And George W. Bush have been in the headlines in recent days, thanks to the former’s Points of Light organization and the latter voicing support for immigration reform.

But another member of the Bush clan is also in the headlines today.

Neil, son of the 41^st president and brother of the 43^rd, didn’t hesitate to help when he noticed a pleasure boat in trouble on Saturday. The boat was carrying seven people when its engine failed and stranded them off the coast of Maine.

Shirley Polinger flagged down another boat, not knowing it was the Fidelity IV, a fishing ship owned by the elder Bush.

According to Newsmax’s report of the incident, Polinger told The Portland Press Herald that the Fidelity “came right over to us and this man resembled George Bush. He was very, very eager to help us. I was looking at the front of his boat and I saw ‘Fidelity IV.’ I said, ‘Oh my God, it’s Bush’s boat.’”

Bush insisted on going all out to aid the stranded boaters, with Polinger saying, “He came right on the boat, took off his shirt and went in the water.” Not finding any obstructions, he came back up “and asked me where I wanted to go.”

She then got her boat towed into Wells Harbor.

Neil is the fourth of George H.W. and Barbara Bush’s six children. He is the chairman of his father’s Points of Light nonprofit organization, which honors volunteers across the country.

The elder President Bush and his son Neil were on hand at the White House on Monday to present the 5000^th Daily Point of Light award. The awards began in November 1989 as a way to honor exemplary community service and promote a spirit of volunteerism.

According to President Barack Obama at Monday’s ceremony, the organization’s work has meant that now “lots of people [volunteer] as a regular part of their lives” rather than just something they do every so often.

Apparently helping others in need is a Bush family tradition. Polinger said that the younger Bush “was extremely friendly and extremely helpful” in aiding her.