Posted on 07/16/2024 5:57:21 AM PDT by Red Badger
NANTUCKET - The U.S. Coast Guard came to the rescue of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy after his boat lost power off Nantucket Monday.
"Captain Dave almost was lost to the ocean," said Portnoy, who thanked the Coast Guard "for saving my life."
The Swampscott native explained in social media posts that he unhooked his boat in Nantucket before realizing that it had lost power.
"No power, no radio, no anchor"
"No power, no radio, no anchor, no nothing; heavy, heavy winds," Portnoy said. "Next thing you know, Captain Dave is lost at sea."
Portnoy said he was trying not to crash into other boats in the harbor and fired a flare gun as a distress signal. He said he was screaming for help and luckily "some girl in what looks like a rowboat" was able to board his boat and use her radio to call the Coast Guard.
The First Coast Guard District, based out of Boston, replied to Portnoy's post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"You're welcome, Dave. Tell Miss Peaches we said hi and remember to boat safe!" the Coast Guard said, referring to Portnoy's famous rescue pit bull.
Coast Guard confirms Dave Portnoy rescue
The Coast Guard confirmed to WBZ-TV that a 28-foot "pleasure craft" owned by Portnoy "broke free of its mooring in Nantucket Harbor and was drifting through the area." Coast Guard members on a training exercise were able to tow the boat back to land.
The agency says this is a good lesson for all boaters to be prepared with a personal locator beacon or radio in case of emergency.
"We are glad that he used distressed signals and applaud the Good Samaritan for having a VHF radio ready to hail the Coast Guard," the Coast Guard said.
As for Portnoy, who reportedly bought the most expensive home ever sold on Nantucket last year, he's not sure when he'll be back out on his boat.
"It's a dangerous game, the sea's angry, my friends," he said. "Captain Dave may never go in the boat again."
Top Notch. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who got Portnoy’s reference!
Gotta love this authentic nautical lingo.
Dumb rich guy doesn’t have a world phone in a waterproof case and a beacon?
Note to self: Barstool has no backup plan; sell, sell, sell.
When I was 12 years old, a couple of my friends and I decided that a summer drive from our home in Chatham to Nantucket would be a fun way to spend the day. So, we filled the cooler with root beer and the gas tank of a 16’ Boston Whaler and off we went.
Dave may be a New Englander, but he’s no Cape Codder.
Was he complaining?
He’s a jerk.
The stupidity of people just amazes me. Every year there are people who die trying to follow a cruise ship to the Bahamas with no radio, no food, no water, no life vests, etc. Even more stupid that the head of the Secret Service.
How do you not start the engine before untying from dock/berth?
I spent about twenty years on my father in laws 32’ Freedom Sloop he kept at Wentworth By the Sea in New Castle/Portsmouth, NH. Also known as Little Harbor. The river in Portsmouth has the second fastest current in the USA. FYI, the only faster current in the USA is on the Niagara River.
Some of the worst mariners had the largest fanciest and newest vessels. Just because you can afford to buy a big fancy boat does not mean you are a good sailor.
I think El Presidente should take a sailing/maritime(Power Squadron) course. It might just save his life some day.
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