A simple mistake by a new boater could have resulted in a tragic ending.
Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and one of the most recognized media figures in popular culture, posted the story to his Instagram page yesterday.
According to Portnoy, he says he's a new boater who recently purchased the boat for his vacation home on Nantucket Island. His mother asked him to take her for a ride, at which point Portnoy says they untied from the dock.
After releasing their lines, Portnoy discovered the boat had no power. He described the story on Instagram while wearing his 'Captain Dave' hat and said he and his mother were nearly 'lost to the ocean' in the tongue-in-cheek post.
Portnoy, known for his outspoken nature and controversial commentary, humbly explains that he made a common mistake like many new boaters and didn't check the vessel before departing.
He was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after a nearby resident was able to clamber aboard. Portnoy said he did not have a phone or radio onboard. Due to the strong coastal winds, he says their boat was nearly pushed into several others anchored offshore.
“Captain Dave was almost lost to the ocean, Mother Ocean,” Portnoy says in the video. “No power, no radio, no anchor, no nothing. Heavy, heavy winds. Next thing you know Captain Dave is lost at sea.”
NOTE: The video below contains foul language.
Unable to stop the wind from pushing the boat, and unable to drop an anchor, Portnoy says he shot a flare gun into the sky to call for help, but none arrived.
“I was clearly at this point exasperated, sunburned — it was like Tom Hanks in Castaway,” he said.
Finally, a woman in a rowboat approached the vessel who recognized Portnoy. She was able to climb onboard and call the Coast Guard using her radio.
Portnoy goes on to describe “four burly dudes” from the Coast Guard arriving to tow his boat back to the harbour.
“Captain Dave lives to tell another tale,” he said to end his day on the water. “Third time as captain, already lost at sea. It’s a dangerous game, the sea’s angry my friends."
He even went to far as to joke that “Captain Dave may never go on the boat again.”
Due to Portnoy's popularity and significant following, U.S Coast Guard Station Brant Point even had to confirm they'd received a report about a 28-foot pleasure vessel in need of rescue. The Coast Guard unit was conducting a training exercise nearby before being diverted to help Portnoy and his mother.
“We are glad that he used distressed signals and applaud the Good Samaritan for having a VHF radio ready to hail the Coast Guard,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard First District said.
"You're welcome, Dave. Tell Miss Peaches we said hi and remember to boat safe!" added the Coast Guard, referring to Portnoy's famous rescue pit bull who's a regular feature in his videos.
CBS Boston, Portnoy's adopted hometown (he's a native of nearby Swampscott, MA but moved to Boston after college), even covered the news on their Monday night broadcast.
Welcome to boating, Captain Dave. We all make mistakes.
We happen to have some handy resources for new boaters, including great tips like 10 things I learned from my first season of boat ownership, serious mistakes made by new boaters, and docking a boat for beginners.
Here's to safer adventures ahead.
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