"I was just kind of in survival mode," Smelley told ABC News about his survival. "I threw my hands up and screamed," he said.spotted Smelley, 37, with one hand on a fishing poll and another waving for help as he floated in the Gulf of Mexico.The Coast Guard crews can be seen on video gearing up and propelling by rope from a helicopter down into the Gulf of Mexico to make the rescue. Smelley was ultimately rescued two miles off the shore of Grayton Beach, Florida.
"It’s not often that these things turn out the way this one did," he said. "Unfortunately, when someone goes out without a life vest and on a kayak they might come off the kayak and try to swim to shore and then they don’t have anything to keep them afloat."Coast Guard ends search for missing workers after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse
Smelley set out on his kayaking trip on Thursday morning when high winds knocked him off a safe course. Smelley’s family reported him missing, prompting a frantic search effort.Smelley, the former quarterback at the University of South Carolina from 2006 to 2008, recounted the swell of support he felt after the rescue.
"I feel very blessed. I felt covered in prayer and love and just thankful to God that it turned out a good outcome," said Smelley.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vessel ‘accidentally discharged’ 500 gallons of diesel fuel off Northern California coast, Coast Guard saysA United States Coast Guard vessel “accidentally discharged” approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel off the coast of Northern California, District 11 of the military branch said in a news release.
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »
Coast Guard still probing cause of oil sheen off the coast of Huntington BeachThe U.S. Coast Guard on Saturday continued to investigate the cause of an oil sheen off Huntington Beach not far from site of a 2021 spill.
Source: latimes - 🏆 11. / 82 Read more »
OC oil spill: Coast Guard investigating reports off Huntington Beach coastThe reported Huntington Beach oil spill is approximately two miles in length off the coast of Orange County, officials said.
Source: FOXLA - 🏆 445. / 53 Read more »
U.S. Coast Guard rescues Florida man from life raft off Puerto Rican coastA U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew airlifted a Florida man from a life raft off Puerto Rico and flew him to safety this weekend after he had fled his boat from fear that the larger vessel would capsize.
Source: WashTimes - 🏆 235. / 63 Read more »
PREP SOFTBALL ROUNDUP: HA, Enterprise both win three in Gulf Coast first dayHouston Academy and Enterprise both won all three of their games Monday during the opening day of the Gulf Coast Classic III Tournament in the Gulf Shores area.
Source: dothaneagle - 🏆 337. / 59 Read more »
Fifth-seeded Oklahoma edges Florida Gulf Coast 73-70Skylar Vann scored 24 points as the fifth-seeded Oklahoma held off No. 12 seed Florida Gulf Coast 73-70 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma (23-9 will face No. 4 seed Indiana (25-5) in the second round on Monday night. Payton Verhulst gave the Sooners a 72-70 lead on a turnaround jumper in the paint with 48 seconds left.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »