Boat captain survives Milton clinging to cooler off Longboat Key

His boat became disabled as hurricane approached, the Coast Guard said.

By Observer Staff
| 7:33 p.m. October 10, 2024
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A U.S Coast Guard helicopter rescues a fishing boat captain who survived Hurricane Milton 30 miles off Longboat Key Thursday, Oct. 10.

Manatee-Sarasota

A fishing boat captain survived Hurricane Milton while clinging to a cooler 30 miles off Longboat Key, battered by hurricane-force winds and 20-foot seas, the U.S Coast Guard says.

Coast Guard officials say the fishing vessel Capt. Dave became disabled Monday, Oct. 7 about 20 miles off John's Pass. A Coast Guard rescue boat and helicopter from Clearwater picked up the captain and mate and brought then to shore. The boat was left adrift with salvage plans to be made later.

On Wednesday around noon, the Coast Guard was informed the captain went back out to the boat to make repairs. By 3 p.m., the captain had not checked in.