Two fishermen were ejected from their boat on Wednesday in Pasco County, Florida. One fisherman, who survived the ordeal, shared his experience with News Channel 8.
Pete Hans from Trinity recounted that he and his friend, Brandon Taylor, had embarked on a fishing trip aiming for the Middle Grounds, located about 90 to 95 miles offshore. Their journey, however, took an unexpected turn.
“A wave hit the side of the boat, tossing us overboard,” Hans explained. “We didn’t have lifejackets. Sure, in hindsight maybe we should have, but it’s something we do regularly.”
Hans described the hours he spent in the water with Taylor.
“He fought really hard for a long time in the water with me,” he explained.
Eventually, Hans realized that Taylor was nowhere to be seen. While continuing to swim, Hans encountered a Double Eagle Charter Fishing vessel, whose passengers eventually noticed him.
“They had to call in the Coast Guard to provide medical assistance and airlift me off their boat,” Hans recounted.
Hans told 8 On Your Side he owes his rescue to the Lord and adds he was with him every step of the way.
“I would close my eyes and imagine Taylor walking on water, encouraging me,” said Hans. “There seemed no logical reason for how I managed to stay afloat for eight hours amidst three to seven-foot waves.”
Hans told 8 On Your Side the further he swam the more he grew confident he was going to make it out alive.
“I want people to know, you know, the power of God with it. I just really want people to know how powerful he is,” he said.
Hans’ wife, Carolyn, did not know what had happened until she received a phone call from Hans after he had been rescued.
“I am forever blessed and grateful to have him back,” Carolyn Hans said.
Though grateful for Hans’ survival, the couple remains hopeful Taylor will be found.
“I just hope they find him. I hope people pray for his family,” Pete Hans said. “He’s got two kids, and people need to be praying for his family and for him.”
“We’re still going to believe that he’s out there because we don’t want to face the fact that something could have happened.” Carolyn Hans said. “It happened for me, I mean, it was a miracle that he returned after eight hours. So, we’ll just keep praying.”
The U.S. Coast Guard said crews searched about 4,300 miles by air and sea before suspending the search for Taylor on Thursday.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are now investigating.
