Saved a Guys life Yesterday

[Kahi]

So I was fishing in 150 Feet of water on the second reef line in Miami (1.5 miles out). We keep our fish close to shore, unlike in North Carolina where they have to run 40 Miles to raise a few sails. We keep the Bahamas 45 miles out. Anyway, I'm in a nice drift with 4 flat lines out, all with healthy pilchards, and two bottom rigs with cut bait when my girlfriend starts screaming that there is a guy in the water about 200 yards away (she was scanning with binocs for fish activity). There isn't a boat within a mile of us and I can't imagine where this guy might have come from. I pull in all the lines, and fire up the throttle till I pull up on him. He's close to drowning, so I throw him a emergency float bag and pull him on board. He throws up water, and starts coughing. I was worried he was a Cuban "rafter" coming across the gulf stream, and in Miami unless you have to, you can't let them board your vessel. This guy doesn’t speak English, so I'm sure he's illegal. I radio the coast guard and give them my location. When they arrive, it turns out the guy was swimming (and drinking) off his friends boat (yeah, in heavy current off the Gulf Stream, where I regularly catch hammerheads over 6 feet long) and the drift caught hold of him and he was drifting for 40 minutes. His friends didn’t want to get into trouble for drinking so they didn't radio in for help. Then couldn't find him when they finally got their engine started.

The first thing this guy says to me in English:

"I'm a really good swimmer".

I couldn't believe it. Just wanted to share.

[O-SEA-D]

Nice of you to help.

I am sure he is happy you picked him up.

Just goes to show you what can happen when alcohol is involved.

[gradywhite273]

good job guy , so people would rather let someone else get hurt or killed then put themselves in trouble, its a screwed up world.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

thats just fuggin' crazy Good Work on Your Part

[Bking]

I am sorry , but If my friends ever let me drown because they didn't want to get in trouble.......... Well wait a minute my friends wouldn't do that.. Thank god you were there to help cause it seems his buddies would have left him to drown!!! WTF

[chriscook02]

Hey there K I'm sure he will think again before doing something that stupid. Maybe the fish gods will smile on you for your good deed. Did the friends boat get a ticket? Did you end up with any fish? Sure was flat yesterday.

[tjacobs]

Nice Job!

BTW - here in NC we're catching sails on jon boats within 2 miles of shore! It has been an OUTSTANDING sailfish bite of late.

[Kahi]

Great about the NC Sailfish bite. Just got back from the Barta Tournament in Beaufort. What an amazing town.


I told my buddy the story, and told me that's a typical set-up in some places for Pirates to get on board. Any thoughts?

[Dave Sikorski]

Good job saving the dude.

Not sure about pirates. Watch out for any butt-pirates sent adrift from Key West.

Do you carry a firearm on board?

-D

[Kahi]

Dave:

Yes, I do carry a firearm when offshore. Never needed it though, thank god.

K