I bought a 1977 53MY in 2012, joined this forum that same day, and use it regularly for advice. She was originally Jimmy Dean's Big Bad John, but the previous owner changed the name to Amen. I was considering a name change as well for I had the hull painted and had to remove the lettering from the transom.
Last week I had to move her from Delray Beach FL to my house in NJ. North winds kept us in the ICW until Thurs mid-day they shifted SW. Seas were still rough but I convinced my crew (my three good friends) to try an ocean run to make up time. We exited at St. Augustine but stayed less then 2 miles from shore as we headed north 16kn. Over the engines, the wind, the surf, and music, we thought we heard a scream. I glanced around but saw nothing. Troy, behind the wheel at the time, shouted "there's people back there" as he jerked the boat hard left to make a U-turn. Behind us were two dots well over 100 yards away. One of them waving desperately. Rich and I grabbed life jackets while Wayne stayed on the bridge as a spotter. We ran to the bow as the boat slowly crept up on them. I tossed them the jackets then a line. Once they had the line securely, Troy killed the engines and came down to help as we pulled them towards the stern.
It was two 17yo HS seniors, a boy and a girl, that were swept 1.5 miles from the beach by the riptide. They had no flotation devices, just bathing suits. They had been desperately trying to swim back for over 90 minutes.
Too exhausted to climb the swim deck ladder we pushed and pulled them aboard. Both were pale and shivering uncontrollably, his lips were white and he seemed to be having a difficult time answering our questions. With the engines still off we were all falling left and right dodging all the things we failed to secure, so we just threw towels on them while Rich radioed the coast guard. Troy got the engines restarted finally calming the tense situation. We escorted them to a cabin, gave them water and blankets and asked what happened. The boy told me no matter what direction they swam, they kept going further out. She told me they prayed for strength to keep swimming. Then when they couldn't swim any longer and struggling to keep their heads above water; he said he started to "call out to God." That's when we showed up. I told them the name of the vessel, that's when emotions started to pour out.
By the time we transferred them to the rescue boat their color had returned and they were in great spirits. Both of their parents contacted me a day later to thank us, and let us know all was well. The father of the girl told me his wife was at church setting up for Holy Thursday services when she got the call that her daughter was missing for over an hour. They all started praying together. Several minutes later is when we found them. The boy's mother had a similar story while at work. She and her coworkers began praying. Then received a call that they had been rescued.
The story went viral on facebook, many people reaching out to thank us and God. It was the latter all along.
Eric Wagner
PS. I will never change the name from Amen.
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04-29-2019 09:34 PM #1Registered Member
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- Nov 2012
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53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
Last edited by Eric; 04-29-2019 at 09:39 PM.
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04-29-2019 09:45 PM #2Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
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- 3,513
Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
Wow! Amen indeed.
Everyone should believe in something - I believe I will go fishing - Henry David Thoreau
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Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
Amazing story. Congratulations and thank you.
SEVEN
1979 53' MY Hull #563
Antioch, California
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04-30-2019 08:10 AM #4
Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
What an AWESOME story.... God Bless!
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04-30-2019 08:25 AM #5
Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
Fantastic story. Well done.
Mike Peters, 1985 43MY, Cat 3208T, Blue Bayou; 2011 Key West 246BR, F250, Baby Blue; Punta Gorda FL
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04-30-2019 08:50 AM #6
Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
That is this best story I have read on this site in some 10 odd years. Thank You for sharing and God Bless You, your Crew, and your Boat!
Scott
1976 43DCFB ,Hull #428, “Exodus”
Long Island, NY
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04-30-2019 12:31 PM #7Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Posts
- 2,771
Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
It's called "Divine intervention" . I'm sure those kids will never forget that experience. Well done
guys.....
Walt
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Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
C ongrats, Eric. Now you know how it feels to save someone's life. Well done.
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04-30-2019 11:49 PM #9Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2017
- Posts
- 85
Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
And I'll ad my "Amen" to that. Great story. I love it when God shows up when folks pray...
bobBob Leland
1980 58' Yachtfish Hull#473
Seattle,Wa / Phoenix, Az
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Re: 53 Hatteras makes an ocean rescue.
agree with scott, feel good story that made my day.
Jim
SALTY
1973 38' AFT CABIN