May 19, 2010 - Three Jacksonville residents survived three days at sea by clinging to a large Coleman cooler after their 20' motorboat capsized and sank. 32-year-old John Nevarez, 31-year-old Elias Nevarez and 28-year-old Rebecca Sullivan were found Tuesday by a private boat passing through the area. They suffered severe sunburn, jellyfish stings and fatigue. They were taken to a hospital for evaluations, but their conditions were not released. The three took off on Sunday morning for a deep sea fishing trip. Their boat, "Problem Child", overturned after it was unexpectedly hit by two waves and then sank.
Officials said they possibly ran into stormy weather with winds gusting to 45 mph and 4' waves. Prior to the rescue the Coast Guard had searched for for 68 hours over more than 11,000 square miles. Capt. Andy Blomme, commander of the local Coast Guard base, said the survivors told him that a first wave swept over the boat's stern, killing the engine and all power. A second one hit moments later, flipping the boat and preventing those on board from getting their life jackets.
Here's the full story from Jacksonville.com
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