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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:15 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:15:51 GMT
Cork Elementary School guidance counselor kissed a cow Tuesday morning as a reward to his students. They won the first place in a food drive for schools in Plant City area.
Cork Elementary School guidance counselor kissed a cow Tuesday morning as a reward to his students. They won the first place in a food drive for schools in Plant City area.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:59:30 GMT
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
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
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 21 2013 5:05 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:05:01 GMT
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:59 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:59:20 GMT
An 18-year-old woman charged with lewd and lascivious battery of a child 12 to 16 years old has to decide whether or not to take the plea deal on the charge. Kaitlyn Hunt faces charges for a relationship
An 18-year-old woman charged with lewd and lascivious battery of a child 12 to 16 years old has to decide whether or not to take the plea deal on the charge. Kaitlyn Hunt faces charges for a relationship
Monday, May 20 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:59:30 GMT
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office report that deputies arrested 41-year-old Jerry Matthew Monroe of Lakeland today charging him with Misdemeanor Battery.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:32:24 GMT
Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:13 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:13:03 GMT
A homeless man whose face was mostly chewed off in a bizarre attack last year in Miami has learned to play guitar as he continues treatment for his injuries.
A homeless man whose face was mostly chewed off in a bizarre attack last year in Miami has learned to play guitar as he continues treatment for his injuries.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:19:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:59 GMT
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
