Former Miami Dolphins player swims nine miles to shore after falling off boat

South Florida Sun-Sentinel ^ | January 10, 2015

[ConservativeStatement]

Former Miami Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad apparently fell off his boat off the South Florida coast but arrived safely on shore early Thursday morning after swimming at least 10 hours and nine miles through the Atlantic Ocean waters, according to the Coast Guard.

Konrad was wearing only his underwear when he approached the driveway gate of 1800 S. Ocean Blvd. and told a Palm Beach police officer working a security shift about his incredible experience, a Palm Beach police report says.

[ConservativeStatement]

He is fortunate but seemingly had the willpower to survive.

[taxcontrol]

Some serious toughness there.

[reg45]

Just practicing for the Iron Man.

[Sherman Logan]

If story is true. There was a story a while back about an athlete who broke both his legs rescuing a child.

Turned out to be bogus.

[BigCinBigD]

Dolphins can swim...Duh!

[Veggie Todd]

Konrad's boat was on autopilot to go to the Bahamas and he could not catch up with it, so he started swimming toward land.

No dead-man's switch?

[HerrBlucher]

That is one major “oh sh#t” moment, watching that boat motor away from you and knowing you are miles from shore in the cold Atlantic. Tough dude, both physically and mentally.

[Lazamataz]

Bullcrap. He probably was in his tub smoking meth.

[LibWhacker]

LOL!

[ClearCase_guy]

Bath salts.

[Cvengr]

Had he swam another mile, he could qualify as a candidate for Force Recon.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Natalie Wood could not be reached for comment...

[William Tell]

Veggie Todd said: "No dead-man's switch?"

That's a good point.

It wouldn't be that difficult to fashion a system using a garage door opening system or an inexpensive radio-control toy whereby a person could attach a small transmitter to themselves which could be used in such an emergency to de-activate an autopilot system.

It would probably be less trouble to create than to swim nine miles to shore.

[stevem]

In my younger, more vital days I swam a mile just to see if I could. I had a guy in a boat with a trolling motor following me, just in case.

It says right here that mile was enough.

[CurlyDave]

...It wouldn't be that difficult to fashion a system using a garage door opening system or an inexpensive radio-control toy whereby a person could attach a small transmitter to themselves which could be used in such an emergency to de-activate an autopilot system...

I think making this waterproof against salt water immersion would be difficult, but possible.

Cost might be high.

[Baseballguy]

He did not swim 9 miles all at once I think it took him many hours. If you tread and rest I bet you could . Remember also there are currents that help also.

[CGASMIA68]

yes currents and tides so I suppose they were on his side plus the gulf stream which is why he needed up in WPB

[William Tell]

CurlyDave said: "I think making this waterproof against salt water immersion would be difficult ..."

The unit might only have to tolerate complete immersion ONCE to pay for itself.

There would be an issue of protecting the unit for its lifetime in the harsh marine environment, where it might get splashed on occasionally. The marine version of some shotguns are made of stainless steel to reduce corrosion.

I'm such a poor swimmer that I wouldn't find myself in the position of being alone at sea in a 36 foot boat. It's a stretch for me to be accompanied by 3000 passengers and crew on a thousand foot cruise liner.

[MV=PY]

"I think making this waterproof against salt water immersion would be difficult, but possible. Cost might be high. "

I'd make it so it's failsafe. Transmit every 10 seconds. If the signal isn't received the motors shut down.

[MHGinTN]

Bet he uses a urinal next time he needs to take a whiz late at night on his boat.