A 74-year-old boater who vanished off the coast of Florida was found in his vessel drifting across international waters.
David Diehl was aboard the Stargazer, a 30-foot catamaran, when he was last heard from on December 4 about 20 miles off Fort Myers in southwest Florida.
According to the US Coast Guard, Diehl was spotted by a cruise ship who reported the boat as disabled and floating in waters 30 miles off Cuba.
A video of the floating ship showed Diehl on board as a rescue crew set out toward him.
Diehl had been floating adrift for two weeks, before he was found. The coast guard sent out an alert on December 12, with still no word on his whereabouts on December 14.
Diehl was found ‘in good health’ despite his terrifying two weeks at sea.
The US Coast Guard says his story highlights the importance of being as vigilant as possible.
‘Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll be back to keep loved ones from worrying this holiday season,’ a spokesperson offered as a reminder.
David Diehl was aboard the Stargazer, a 30-foot catamaran, when he was last heard from on December 4 about 20 miles off Fort Myers in southwest Florida
Diehl had been floating adrift for two weeks, before he was found. The coast guard sent out an alert on December 12, with still no word on his whereabouts on December 14
While Diehl was found ‘in good health’, his terrifying two weeks drifting in the ocean highlights the dangers
Diehl’s story comes just weeks after the Coast Guard performed a frantic search from five people in Alaska who went missing after a fishing boat capsized.
The ship overturned near Point Couverden in early December, before the search was called off after nearly 24 hours.
The search spanned over 108 miles after a mayday call from those onboard.
The families of Travis Kapp, Jacob Hannah, Alex Ireland, Emilio ‘EJ’ Celaya and Michael Brown spoke out to remember their loved ones.
‘We are all so devastated,’ Celaya’s aunt, Stephanie Molt told KTUU-TV.
Hannah’s mother, Carol Hannah, told the outlet: ‘I couldn’t be mad at him because that’s what he’s lived for — is for going to Alaska and fishing,’ Carol said.
‘So he did what he wanted throughout his life. I’m very proud because Alaska is what helped him become the man he was.’
The sister of Kapp’s partner, Stephanie, shared that Kapp ‘had three passions in life; being a great father to Paige, his new blended family with Stephanie and her daughter Alice, and running a commercial fishing operation.’
She added: ‘We are beyond heartbroken. We love you so much EJ. Sending lots of love and strength to all the other crewmates’ families.’
