A man was rescued 30 miles off the Florida coast, holding onto a cooler after being swept away by Hurricane Milton.
In a harrowing incident, a man was found clinging to a cooler in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 30 miles away from the Florida coast.
The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, faced a nightmare scenario when Hurricane Milton struck the region.
The man was swept away after returning to fix the boat
Following reports that a fishing vessel had broken down at sea near John’s Pass, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a rescue operation.
The boat captain and a crew member were safely rescued earlier, leaving the vessel adrift in the ocean.
The situation took a dire turn when the captain returned to the boat to carry out repairs before dawn, losing contact with the shore.
Amidst the chaos of Hurricane Milton’s landfall along the Florida coast, bystanders managed to establish radio communication with the stranded captain.
Despite their efforts, communication was abruptly cut off in the evening, raising concerns about the man’s safety.
Man found holding onto cooler 30 miles from Florida coast after Hurricane Milton swept him away
Hours later, rescuers located the captain gripping onto a cooler for dear life.
The scene was a testament to the man’s resilience and survival instincts in the face of extreme adversity.
Lt. Cmdr. Dana Grady, Sector St. Petersburg’s command center chief, expressed admiration for the captain’s survival under such treacherous conditions.
“This man survived in a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner,” Lt. Cmdr. Dana Grady, Sector St. Petersburg’s command center chief, said in a statement.
“To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75-90 mph winds, 20-25 foot seas, for an extended period of time to include overnight.
He survived because of a life jacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon, and a cooler.”
The rescued man was found approximately 30 miles off Longboat Key, battered by strong winds and towering waves during the hurricane’s onslaught.
His survival was thanks to his life jacket and an emergency position indicating locator beacon.
The trusty cooler also served as a makeshift buoy in the turbulent waters.
The public praised the rescuers for their efforts in saving the man
Following the dramatic rescue, netizens praised the efforts of the Coast Guard, hailing the operation as nothing short of miraculous.
Many commended the captain’s courage and quick thinking, with some even joking about the durability of the cooler that played a crucial role in his survival.
The man was promptly transported to Tampa General Hospital for medical evaluation and care.
The rescue operation was praised as a remarkable feat of bravery and coordination.
It showcased the Coast Guard’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding lives during natural disasters.
Wow!! Incredible story! Amazing coast guard – what a job! You guys are heroes, one user said.