MAN RESCUED FROM THE WATER AFTER 11 HOURS AT SEA

INDIAN RIVER, Del. – Greg Ryan is fortunate to be alive today after spending the night treading water in the Atlantic Ocean.

Mr. Ryan fell overboard from the sport fishing vessel Hangin’ Loose at about 11 p.m. Friday night, while en route to offshore fishing grounds locally known as the Ham Bone. The crew of the Hangin’ Loose did not notice that Mr. Ryan was missing for several minutes, and was unable to locate him immediately.

The Coast Guard searched intensely throughout the night with boats from Station Indian River Inlet, Del., and Station Ocean City, Md., several helicopters from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., two C-130 airplanes from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and the Coast Guard Cutter Ibis from Cape May, N.J.

Mr. Ryan was found swimming more than four miles offshore by a recreational fishing vessel The S.S. Minnow. Mr. Ryan was suffering from mild hypothermia and several cuts and abrasions. A 21-foot rescue boat from Station Indian River Inlet brought Mr. Ryan ashore for EMS treatment.

“The Coast Guard is ecstatic that Mr. Ryan was found safe after he lost his balance and fell into the ocean,” said Commander Ron LaBrec of Coast Guard Group Eastern Shore. “After his rescue, he told us he had begun to lose consciousness shortly before being sighted. The Coast Guard strongly recommends mariners wear life vests with reflective tape and a light when operating offshore so they remain afloat if they can no longer help themselves.”

MAN RESCUED FROM THE WATER AFTER 11 HOURS AT SEA

INDIAN RIVER, Del. – Greg Ryan is fortunate to be alive today after spending the night treading water in the Atlantic Ocean.

Mr. Ryan fell overboard from the sport fishing vessel Hangin’ Loose at about 11 p.m. Friday night, while en route to offshore fishing grounds locally known as the Ham Bone. The crew of the Hangin’ Loose did not notice that Mr. Ryan was missing for several minutes, and was unable to locate him immediately.

The Coast Guard searched intensely throughout the night with boats from Station Indian River Inlet, Del., and Station Ocean City, Md., several helicopters from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., two C-130 airplanes from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and the Coast Guard Cutter Ibis from Cape May, N.J.

Mr. Ryan was found swimming more than four miles offshore by a recreational fishing vessel The S.S. Minnow. Mr. Ryan was suffering from mild hypothermia and several cuts and abrasions. A 21-foot rescue boat from Station Indian River Inlet brought Mr. Ryan ashore for EMS treatment.

“The Coast Guard is ecstatic that Mr. Ryan was found safe after he lost his balance and fell into the ocean,” said Commander Ron LaBrec of Coast Guard Group Eastern Shore. “After his rescue, he told us he had begun to lose consciousness shortly before being sighted. The Coast Guard strongly recommends mariners wear life vests with reflective tape and a light when operating offshore so they remain afloat if they can no longer help themselves.”