Josh Long and Troy Driscoll found after 6 days lost at sea
The most amazing story over the weekend was the story of Josh Long and Troy Driscoll—two South Carolina teenagers who were rescued after being lost at sea for 6 days.
Read these two excellent pieces of journalism from the Charleston *Post and Courier:
- A big search for a tiny boat on the vast ocean by Tony Bartelme
- ‘It was just me, Troy and God’ by Ron Menchaca
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I used to work on sea-going oil barges. For nearly a year, I was on a boat/barge that ran from Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA to Charleston, SC to Willmington, NC. It’s easy for me to imagine the waters where these two young men found themselves lost.
Also, as a sometimes marathon canoe racer, I understand the grueling nature of being on a small boat on open water for long periods of time. In the 2003 Texas Water Safari, my brother and I were in our canoe for 78 hours—albeit with plenty of water and food. But I understand how the heat and environment can wilt your strength and your will.
“After 20 minutes we knew we were in for a long trip. We knew we were in trouble.”
Troy wanted to swim for shore. Josh argued against it, remembering survival lessons his grandfather had taught him growing up. “Stay with the boat,” he could hear his grandfather’s voice inside his head.
His grandfather’s advice is what saved their lives. It is the single most important and best advice in boating (and has saved my ass on more than one occassion when I’ve been swept from my boat or swamped by a rapid): Stay with your boat.
That these two were able to survive for 6 days is nearly incomprehensible. Their story will make a great book or movie someday.
