Joe Merten and Rick Smith have only been friends for a short time. On Monday night they decided to take one of Smith's boats out for a ride. A faulty gauge led to them running out of gas after thirty minutes. Things went from bad to worse when a storm moved in from the gulf.
The men went below deck to ride out the storm, but the anchor line was cut from the tossing and turning of the waves. The boat drifted out to sea. Merten says, "I woke up and I looked outside and I didn't see any houses or lights around I was like where the hell are we at you know."
With no other boats in sight, Merten decided to try to make it back to shore. "I took off. I wasn't waiting. I was not hero it was more of a selfish act. I'm like I'm out. I'm getting us help."
Merten then waded through the shallow water for hours. The rocks below cut and bruised his feet. "Going through parts of it the rocks were knee high so I had to just step basically from rock to rock you know."
Merten finally made it to a dock. The home owner pulled him out of the water. "They were great people..outstanding..threw me in to a hot shower, gave me warm clothes, called the coast guard...hung out there fed me a sandwich."
Smith says he was very thankful when the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Marine unit finally made it to him. "Very nice people. Give me a blanket cause I was soaking wet from walking in the dag gone water too."
Smith and Merten plan on going to retrieve the stranded boat. And this time they are bringing plenty of gas.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:59 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:27 GMT
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:59 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-08 03:00:20 GMT
If you are looking for love, there are a lot of different dating websites where you can post your profile. However, not everyone on those sites is being honest.
If you are looking for love, there are a lot of different dating websites where you can post your profile. However, not everyone on those sites is being honest.
