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Father and son rescued after 15 hours at sea
Monday, September 8, 2008
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Chris Marino, 12, is rescued at sea. Watch the story PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A father and son are at home recovering after spending Saturday night treading water for 15 hours in the Atlantic Ocean.
Walter Marino and his 12-year-old son, Chris, got swept out to sea while swimming near the Ponce Inlet.
The boy's mother spoke about it Monday when her son was released from the hospital.
"We're just so happy, so happy that they were found and that they're in such great condition," said Chris' mom, Robyn Bishop. "I'm just excited to bring my son home."
Walter Marino was found by boaters but a Clearwater Coast Guard helicopter crew found Chris, who was separated from his dad, in the ocean. He was 10 to 12 miles offshore.
"He was laying on his back, treading water," said Petty Coast Guard Officer David Dunstan. "It looked like he was in a swimming pool."
Chris Marino did not have a life jacket or a floatation device but Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tom Emerick, who jumped in the water to rescue him, says the boy was well prepared.
"Whoever taught him to swim did an excellent job," Emerick said. "It was amazing. He was sitting back on his back relaxing and that's what you should do in that situation."
The boy was hoisted up in a Coast Guard basket and then taken to a hospital.
"He was obviously water logged," Dunstan said. "His skin was all wrinkly and he had a lot of jelly fish stings."
The Coast Guard helicopter pilot will never forget the boy's determination to survive.
"Amazing, the willpower to stay treading water all night long," said Coast Guard Pilot Lt. David Birky. "I think I'd be done after 30-minutes or so."
Both father and son were treated for jellyfish stings, shock and hypothermia but they are both in good shape.
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