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Coast Guard rescues unwitting drunk man one mile offshore, drifting on pool floatie

by Andrew Evans (RSS feed) on Jun 24th 2010 at 2:30PM

You heard right: The United States Coast Guard yesterday rescued a Florida man who got drunk, climbed into an inflatable swimming pool ring (the kind little kids use), passed out, and then drifted a mile offshore from Belleair Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately, a concerned boater spotted what he thought was debris and came for a closer look, then called the Coast Guard to report what he thought was a dead body. Despite boat horns and loud shouting, the intoxicated man did not respond. Jerry Whipple, age 48, was both dazed and confused as the Coast Guard rescued him and transported him back to the nearest hospital for a closer look.

Mr. Whipple was later released, although he might still be charged with operating a seafaring craft while under the influence. That's one small step for the Coast Guard . . . and one mile-wide leap for Florida.

Filed under: North America, United States, News

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

sniper bob Jun 24th 2010 3:53PM

I'm pretty sure that drifting away on a pool toy isn't going to be construed as "operating a vessel".. more the other way around. :>)

Al Schrader Jun 24th 2010 8:12PM

Didn't that guy on the La-Z-Boy chair do this ?
He sold that chair for $40,000 on eBay. Hey, how much for the inner tube floatie thing ? $20,000 ???

Chroma Jun 25th 2010 2:02PM

@Al Schrader

You mean the guy from minnesota that had his chair confiscated by police and the police sold it on ebay for department money?

Dylan Burkey Jun 24th 2010 6:22PM

This story made my day. Haha that is way to funny. The sad thing is knowing that this could happen to anyone of us. Imagine if this guy didn't get spotted by the boater...

I featured your article on my site as this was a great piece. If you are interested in reading it here is the link: http://www.thedailyconnect.com/2010/06/man-gets-drunk-floats-one-mile-offshore-in-pool-toy/

Thanks for the laugh.

Mac Jun 24th 2010 6:51PM

Yet another reason to not drink alcohol at all. Even under the best intentions, sometimes it get's out of hand, and this could have very well ended up as a missing, and eventually, dead person, lost at sea. Congratulations to the sharp-eyed person's who initially spotted him, and then notified the proper authorities. Good samaritan's really DO exist.