Russell Crowe Rescued By U.S. Coast Guard

by UInterviewSeptember 4, 2012, 12:00 amNews >

If it had been a movie about a boating accident starring Russell Crowe, odds are he would have been the one to play hero, but in real life, the U.S. Coast Guard had to come after Crowe over the weekend when he and a friend reportedly got lost while kayaking off the coast of Long Island.

Crowe and his friend left Cold Spring Harbor and hadn't found their way back by nightfall, at which point they and their kayaks were about 10 mile away in Huntington Bay. After being stranded, Crowe and his friend called for the Coast Guard, who spotted Crowe (but didn't immediately recognize him, reports the San Francisco Chronicle) and his buddy and hauled them back to where they had come from.

Crowe later tweeted to thank the Coast Guard officers who had rescued him. "Kayak;Cold Spring/Huntington Harbour, thanks to Seth and the boys from the US Coast Guard for guiding the way…4 hrs 30 mins, 7m(11.2)km," Crowe tweeted. He also took the time out to specify that, despite all outward appearances, he had not been lost: "not lost, we knew where exactly where we were, paddling around from csh into wind, we ran out of day. Grand adventure eh @chris_feather?"

The rescuers, who found the duo (wearing their lifejackets like stand-up gentlemen) around 10 p.m. on Saturday night, seemed to have no complaints, however, reports the L.A. Times. "It is common for the Coast Guard to assist boaters like this, but it was very cool to help Russell Crowe and his friend," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Swieciki. "Crowe and his friend were very grateful to get a lift."

Crowe is currently filming Darren Aronofsky's take on Noah in the titular role, which could explain why the rescuers couldn't recognize the star immediately, as he was sporting a long, gray beard and very little on top.