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JohnBaker3 · 26 April 2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdrazor251

Amazing story. Have you been surfing since?

Jeff:

I go surfing every time it's good enough for the drive down to Surfside. I doubt I will ever see the same set of bad circumstances ever again.

Surfing is great exercise and great fun. You can't go hide in the closet just because you had a bad day. Actually, if it was bad enough, you are allowed to be a little paranoid!

PS This pic was taken by someone down on South Padre Island during Hurricane Ike....

tkerrmd · 26 April 2014, 12:54 PM

Amazing

hdrazor251 · 26 April 2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

Jeff:

I go surfing every time it's good enough for the drive down to Surfside. I doubt I will ever see the same set of bad circumstances ever again.

....

Glad to hear that John.

lmcgbaj · 26 April 2014, 01:16 PM

What a story. Thanks for sharing.

Hairdude1 · 26 April 2014, 01:46 PM

Amazing story, thanks for sharing it with us! Glad you're safe

incontrol · 26 April 2014, 02:47 PM

Thanks for sharing your story and enjoy your reward! You have certainly earned it.

Gaijin · 26 April 2014, 02:59 PM

Yes, you definitely did earn that John. Wear it with pride. Glad you made it back. Great story.

Andad · 26 April 2014, 03:27 PM

Legendary stuff John.

Geez....you old guys.

orangedial · 26 April 2014, 03:37 PM

Truly encouraging story and what a great Saturday read!
You definite earned the GMT

Cortezthekiller · 26 April 2014, 03:57 PM

Inspiring story, John! It's amazing what we can do when there are no alternatives.

rouxeny · 26 April 2014, 04:58 PM

Crazy and awesome.

Amazing story. Wear the watch with pride. I'm going to look for that Magnum episode.

The_Walrus · 26 April 2014, 06:23 PM

Thanks for sharing John, truly terrifying

Furbo · 26 April 2014, 07:57 PM

Wow, glad you made it.

Minos · 26 April 2014, 08:58 PM

Sir, as a Navy officer, you have my utmost respect.
I'm writing this as I'm looking through my window at the windmills on the horizon. Knowing the hard weather and currents here in the North Sea, I can't imagine trying to reach one of them while paddling.
The Gulf is no peace of cake and there is far less traffic, let alone human presence than we have here.
An inspiration to all who nowadays tend to give up too easily in the face of adversity!
I hope nobody else here finds himself in a similar situation, but I'm certain that if it was the case, your story might help to bite the bullit if need be.
Thank you for sharing.

mjclark32 · 26 April 2014, 09:03 PM

Incredible!

AK797 · 26 April 2014, 09:04 PM

Well done sir! Amazing what the human spirit is capable of, and enjoy your Pepsi, you certainly deserve to.

JohnBaker3 · 26 April 2014, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cortezthekiller

Inspiring story, John! It's amazing what we can do when there are no alternatives.

Before I made the decision to head out to the rigs, I thought out every possible alternative. There weren't very many, and they all disappeared by the time 4 PM arrived.

During the trip, 2 different rig copters flew overhead but never saw me. Once it got dark, I knew that nobody else was going to help me out of my predicament.

As I paddled out past the sight of land, I also remembered the story of the hiker that got in trouble in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. In the end, he had to cut off his left arm at the elbow using a pocket knife.

Paddling 14 miles to an oil rig seemed like a piece of cake compared to that!

BillA · 26 April 2014, 11:17 PM

Great story, so thankful you made it and can post on this forum!

sirjohnbrian · 26 April 2014, 11:42 PM

What an awesome story. One of the best posts I've read in a long time. Wear that watch with pride!

ltmgeller · 27 April 2014, 12:01 AM

First off, thank you for your service. That is an amazing story. Magnum PI was a hero of mine and that episode has been an inspiration to me on more than one occasion. It also inspired my fascination with Rolex and the first one I purchased myself was a Pepsi 1675. Wear your watch in good health, you deserve it.

JohnBaker3 · 27 April 2014, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

First off, thank you for your service. That is an amazing story. Magnum PI was a hero of mine and that episode has been an inspiration to me on more than one occasion.

Mike:

Thanks for your comments; one of the true ironies of my adventure was my history with the Coast Guard. I attended the Search and Rescue School once as a cadet and once as a requirement for my last tour: CG Rescue Center, Long Beach California.

I knew that if I wasn't spotted before darkness fell, there was zero chance that they could find me in the dark. With the air temp dropping to 55 degrees F, I had to get to safety by 3 AM or hypothermia would take it's toll. As it turned out, by midnight I couldn't count to 50 by 2's (stroke counts). When I got into the rig office about 2:15 AM, my arms and legs were all pale grey.

At 2:30 I climbed into a hot shower; it was the BEST one I have ever enjoyed!

AndyK · 27 April 2014, 01:54 AM

Wow, now THAT'S a story!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

GerardoG · 27 April 2014, 03:35 AM

Thank you for sharing!!! Wow!

brettpaul · 27 April 2014, 03:36 AM

Glad you made it mate - thanks for sharing such a personal and inspiring story!

hardel · 27 April 2014, 02:36 PM

Wow!

IT Nerd · 27 April 2014, 05:01 PM

Amazing!!! I was about to pick surfing back up after a 20+ year "hiatus" - now I'm having second thoughts!

JohnBaker3 · 27 April 2014, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardel

Wow!

Hardel:

Love your avatar !!

Rags · 27 April 2014, 11:11 PM

What a great story. Thanks for posting it.

Art 1 · 27 April 2014, 11:58 PM

Wow, John. Amazing.

travisb · 28 April 2014, 12:11 AM

Amazing story! That GMT was earned the hard way.

26 April 2014, 01:16 PM	#64
lmcgbaj "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: G Location: Canada Watch: es are FUN!!! Posts: 1,979	What a story. Thanks for sharing. __________________ "Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.* "*

26 April 2014, 02:47 PM	#66
incontrol "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Kevin Location: Somewhere in PA Watch: All of them... Posts: 10,355	Thanks for sharing your story and enjoy your reward! You have certainly earned it. __________________ Patek Philippe Rolex

26 April 2014, 03:27 PM	#68
Andad 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 37,735	Legendary stuff John. Geez....you old guys. __________________ E

26 April 2014, 03:57 PM	#70
Cortezthekiller "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: USA Posts: 234	Inspiring story, John! It's amazing what we can do when there are no alternatives. __________________ Rolex 16753 Rootbeer GMT, 16803 Submariner Accutron Swiss Spaceview N3 Movado Astronic HS360 01.0010.436 Omega Flightmaster 145.036, 145.012 Speedmaster Enicar Sherpa Guide MKII

26 April 2014, 09:03 PM	#75
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Incredible! __________________

26 April 2014, 12:54 PM	#62
tkerrmd "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Tom Location: In a race car! Watch: ME RACE PORSCHES Posts: 24,123	Amazing

26 April 2014, 01:46 PM	#65
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Amazing story, thanks for sharing it with us! Glad you're safe

26 April 2014, 02:59 PM	#67
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,173	Yes, you definitely did earn that John. Wear it with pride. Glad you made it back. Great story.

26 April 2014, 03:37 PM	#69
orangedial "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Wayne Location: Singapore Watch: AP, PP, Rolex Posts: 1,791	Truly encouraging story and what a great Saturday read! You definite earned the GMT

26 April 2014, 04:58 PM	#71
rouxeny "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Real Name: Andrew Location: Maui Posts: 686	Crazy and awesome. Amazing story. Wear the watch with pride. I'm going to look for that Magnum episode.

26 April 2014, 06:23 PM	#72
The_Walrus "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Real Name: George Location: Sydney Watch: 5513 Posts: 1,104	Thanks for sharing John, truly terrifying

26 April 2014, 07:57 PM	#73
Furbo "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Slovenia, EU Watch: BLNR Posts: 1,507	Wow, glad you made it.

26 April 2014, 08:58 PM	#74
Minos Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Real Name: Christophe Location: Belgium Watch: The 1 on my wrist. Posts: 68	Sir, as a Navy officer, you have my utmost respect. I'm writing this as I'm looking through my window at the windmills on the horizon. Knowing the hard weather and currents here in the North Sea, I can't imagine trying to reach one of them while paddling. The Gulf is no peace of cake and there is far less traffic, let alone human presence than we have here. An inspiration to all who nowadays tend to give up too easily in the face of adversity! I hope nobody else here finds himself in a similar situation, but I'm certain that if it was the case, your story might help to bite the bullit if need be. Thank you for sharing.

26 April 2014, 09:04 PM	#76
AK797 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Neil Location: UK Watch: ing ships roll in Posts: 59,369	Well done sir! Amazing what the human spirit is capable of, and enjoy your Pepsi, you certainly deserve to.

26 April 2014, 11:17 PM	#78
BillA 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,950	Great story, so thankful you made it and can post on this forum!

26 April 2014, 11:42 PM	#79
sirjohnbrian "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Watch: 'chu lookin' at??? Posts: 964	What an awesome story. One of the best posts I've read in a long time. Wear that watch with pride! __________________ "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." Mark Twain "Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true." Homer Simpson SS Midsize DJ 68274 "L" TT Jubilee DJ 116233 "Z" Sea Dweller DS 116660 "V" SS White Dial Daytona "V"

27 April 2014, 12:01 AM	#80
ltmgeller 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Mike Location: New York Watch: Rolex Posts: 22,920	First off, thank you for your service. That is an amazing story. Magnum PI was a hero of mine and that episode has been an inspiration to me on more than one occasion. It also inspired my fascination with Rolex and the first one I purchased myself was a Pepsi 1675. Wear your watch in good health, you deserve it.

27 April 2014, 01:54 AM	#82
AndyK "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago Watch: 216570 Posts: 878	Wow, now THAT'S a story! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ www.calibre1040.com - www.instagram.com/calibre1040/

27 April 2014, 03:35 AM	#83
GerardoG Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Real Name: Gerardo Location: Here Watch: ALL of them Posts: 32,098	Thank you for sharing!!! Wow!

27 April 2014, 03:36 AM	#84
brettpaul "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Brett Location: Bahrain, Dubai Watch: Rolex and AP Posts: 5,538	Glad you made it mate - thanks for sharing such a personal and inspiring story!

27 April 2014, 02:36 PM	#85
hardel "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta Watch: 116000 Posts: 146	Wow!

27 April 2014, 05:01 PM	#86
IT Nerd 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: VA Watch: me flip Posts: 1,022	Amazing!!! I was about to pick surfing back up after a 20+ year "hiatus" - now I'm having second thoughts!

27 April 2014, 11:11 PM	#88
Rags 2025 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Chuck Location: SW Florida Watch: 16233,16610,214270 Posts: 11,200	What a great story. Thanks for posting it. __________________ 16233 Y Serial Datejust 16610 Z Serial Submariner 214270 Explorer *114300 Oyster Perpetual* *76200 Tudor Date+Day*

27 April 2014, 11:58 PM	#89
Art 1 Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Florida, Canada Watch: Rol/Seik/Tud/Omega Posts: 30,244	Wow, John. Amazing.

28 April 2014, 12:11 AM	#90
travisb "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Travis Location: FL / NYC Watch: Yes.. Posts: 33,816	Amazing story! That GMT was earned the hard way.

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