Coast Guard Rescues Ship Captain At Sea Clutching A Water Cooler After Surviving 25-Foot Waves From Hurricane Milton

Following Hurricane Milton‘s destructive path, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man 30 miles off the coast of Florida on Thursday. The man was clinging to a water cooler to stay afloat.

The Coast Guard Air Station Miami spotted the ship captain floating in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, clutching a water cooler. A chopper rescued him.

This was the second rescue of the week. On Monday, the coastguard was alerted by the captain of the fishing vessel ‘Captain Dave’ that he and another crew member were ‘disabled’ off Madeira Beach, 20 miles from the coast. The two men were rescued via helicopter in “good condition,” but Captain Dave was deserted. 

On Wednesday, the captain returned to the vessel to attempt repairs. As Hurricane Milton approached, 30 mph winds were complimented by six-to eight-foot seas. The captain made radio contact, and he was told to put on a life jacket and stay near Captain Dave’s emergency radio beacon. Communication with the captain was lost later that day, at which time he survived the effects of Hurricane Milton.

Sector St. Petersburg’s command center chief Lieutenant Commander Dana Grady commended the man: “This man survived a nightmare scenario for even the most experienced mariner.”

She continued, “To understand the severity of the hurricane conditions, we estimate he experienced approximately 75-90 mph winds and 20-25 foot seas for an extended period of time, including overnight,” and added, “He survived because of a life jacket, his emergency position indicating locator beacon and a cooler.”

The man was moved to Tampa General Hospital for medical treatment.

Despite the vast destruction Milton has caused, many individuals have voiced their relief that the event was not worse. However, the hurricane killed power for over three million people, flooded barrier islands, as well as tore the roof off a baseball stadium. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced Thursday afternoon that, amid ongoing efforts, at least 340 people and 49 pets had been rescued.

Milton destroyed the roof of the Tropicana Field with his wind gusts.