A sailor, known as ‘Capt. Dave,’ was rescued on Thursday after he was found clinging to a cooler about 30 miles offshore from Longboat Key. He had been adrift for nearly 24 hours following the destructive winds and rain from Hurricane Milton.
The hurricane, classified as a Category 3 storm, hit the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week, bringing winds up to 120 mph, tornadoes, and significant flooding, particularly on Florida’s west coast. Search and rescue efforts are still in progress as officials evaluate the full extent of the damage, including recent rescues such as a 14-year-old boy pulled from floodwaters near Tampa, according to WFLA News on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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A rescue team from Sand Key and a helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater rushed to the scene, successfully bringing two individuals back to safety. Unfortunately, Capt. Dave’s boat was left behind.
The day before the hurricane’s landfall, he reported his disabled vessel to the Coast Guard. Despite the rough waters, he attempted to return to his boat early the next morning, only to find his rudder tangled with a line.
As he battled 6 to 8-foot waves and 30 mph winds, the Coast Guard advised him to wear a life jacket and remain near his boat’s emergency beacon. Communication was lost around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday as conditions worsened.
Search efforts commenced around 5:30 a.m. with both airplane and helicopter crews from Air Station Clearwater and Air Station Miami. Capt. Dave was finally spotted around 1:30 p.m., clinging to a cooler that had kept him afloat. He was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for evaluation.
Lieutenant Commander Dana Grady from Sector St. Petersburg praised Capt. Dave’s survival. “He faced overwhelming hurricane conditions with winds estimated at 75 to 90 mph and seas of 20 to 25 feet overnight. His life jacket, emergency beacon, and cooler were crucial for his survival,” she stated.