Four nearly swept into Gulf swimming across Caladesi Island inlet (full wake zone)!

[BritLady]

Our son and his wife were anchored off Caladesi Island today when they spotted a guy and a girl attempting to swim across the narrow inlet between Caladesi Island and Honeymoon Island :smt021! The inlet is narrow and subject to very strong currents and tides, especially when the tides going out! It wasn't long before the guy realized that he was being swept out into the Gulf of Mexico and started frantically shouting for help, apparently the girl didn't even realize that she had been swept way off course and was still swimming. Their two male friends on shore heard his cry for help and dived in to "help out" and then, as often happens, the same thing happened to them. Now all four, who were in their early twenties, are being swept out into the Gulf! Our son and his wife weighed anchor as quick as they could and rescued 'em all. Some were just in shock. They didn't even realize that boats come through the inlet at full speed as it's not a No Wake area and could easily have run over them too. They were very lucky they got pulled out in time. Our son thought they were visiting the area. Each year in FL we have several tourists drown as the waters look so beautiful but can be very dangerous but to risk swimming across an inlet is just plain silly. Our son (who's a Coastie) has saved 24 lives this year to date now. They were all really scared about what nearly happened to them. Thank goodness they won't attempt such a foolhardy excercise again, especially after our son explained the error of their ways to 'em! If anyone's visiting FL enjoy our waters but take great care out there

 

[dwna1a]

Re: Four nearly swept into Gulf swimming across Caladesi Island inlet (full wake zone

You read something like this and you wonder what is going through their heads...I'm happy to see they all made it alright

 

[src]

Re: Four nearly swept into Gulf swimming across Caladesi Island inlet (full wake zone

It's what you get from people who are only experienced with pools or lakes. They think water just sits there for you to enjoy, and have no experience with tides or currents.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Re: Four nearly swept into Gulf swimming across Caladesi Island inlet (full wake zone

Your son deserves not only the thanks from those whose lives he saved, but from all of us for his service. Kudos to him for being a Coastie!

 

[BritLady]

Re: Four nearly swept into Gulf swimming across Caladesi Island inlet (full wake zone

Kudos to your son for quick thinking. People do some real stupid things. Last summer I had to rescue two teens that decided to swim from the main pier head to the outer break wall at Michigan City. Same deal, lots of boat traffic at speed, currents and a blind corner. By the time they reached shore, they had an earful from myself, and probably a slightly lower self esteem after I beat them down with an expletive laced tirade that is probably still floating in the upper atmosphere over Lake Michigan.

(this was two weeks after two kids drowned right in that very area)

WOW, they were very lucky you were there, that could have been very nasty too! We don't have all the stupid folk down here in FL then

 

[BritLady]

Re: Four nearly swept into Gulf swimming across Caladesi Island inlet (full wake zone

Your son deserves not only the thanks from those whose lives he saved, but from all of us for his service. Kudos to him for being a Coastie!

Thanks GFC, have to say he really loves it and has never looked back since the day he joined, apart from not enjoying the officer boot camp that much......but who would