As the sun began to set on the horizon off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Oct. 19, fishing buddies Nicholas Whitbeck and Joe Tormay made a startling discovery. What they initially thought was a dead whale turned out to be a capsized fishing boat, with a man desperately waving for help from atop the vessel.
The man had lost his cell phone in the mishap and was using the overturned boat to stay afloat in the chilly 55-58 degree water. Without assistance, he faced a long and potentially dangerous night at sea.
Whitbeck and Tormay had just moved to a less crowded fishing spot when they spotted the stranded man in the distance. They quickly sprang into action, stowing their gear, alerting the Coast Guard, and maneuvering their boat to rescue him.
After ensuring the man’s safety and learning more about his ordeal, Whitbeck and Tormay realized the gravity of the situation. The man had been adrift for an hour, trying unsuccessfully to flag down passing vessels.
Thanks to their timely intervention, the man was safely brought aboard their boat. He expressed his gratitude for their help, emphasizing the close-knit nature of the fishing community on Nantucket.
Tormay, drawing on his Coast Guard training, highlighted the importance of fishermen looking out for one another in times of need. The incident served as a reminder of the risks inherent in their profession and the reliance they have on each other for support.
