A sailor stranded in a hurricane shared the heartbreaking message he gave his dog as their boat sank.
The emotional ordeal occurred during Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of the southeastern United States.
The U.S. suffered from the arrival of Hurricane Helene.
Recently, Hurricane Helene formed and threatened the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction, claiming at least 63 lives.
The storm wreaked havoc from Florida to the Great Lakes, striking the coast as a powerful Category 4 hurricane.
While, Earl planned to move his sailboat to a safer inlet. However, the boat’s motor failed, leaving them vulnerable in the storm. With waves crashing around them and water filling the cabin, the situation turned dire.
According to reports, Earl and his dog were stranded during a hurricane. They also faced devastation from this disaster.
A man and his dog stranded on a boat before the hurricane.
Earl Barcome, a 64-year-old American, lived aboard his 36-foot sailboat, “Selkie”, for a year.
The boat became his home after a 30-year relationship ended.
Earl Barcome was reported to be stranded on a boat with his dog.
Earl’s companion during his sea journey was his 10-year-old Golden Retriever, Gunn.
During Hurricane Helene, Earl and Gunn sought peace together on the water.
According to Earl’s sister, Shirley, the sailboat was more than just a vessel; it symbolized Earl’s new beginning.
She described this journey on a GoFundMe page created to support him after the disaster.
Earl shared heartbreaking words with his dog.
As the boat sank and hope faded, Earl shared comforting words with his dog, Gunn.
“I said, ‘Gun, this isn’t the day we’re going to die. I’m calling the Coast Guard,’” he recalled.
Dramatic rescue by the Coast Guard
Earl managed to send a distress signal to the Coast Guard.
A helicopter from the USCG Air Station Clearwater located the boat 25 miles west of Sanibel Island, Florida.
The rescue operation was caught on camera, showing Earl and Gunn donning life vests before jumping into the turbulent waters.
A rescue swimmer reached the sinking boat and instructed Earl to abandon the vessel.
He added: “He (the rescue swimmer) falls into the water and just power swims to my boat, and he’s like, ‘I need you guys in the water now.’”
Both were safely hoisted into the helicopter, leaving “Selkie” behind.
Earl shared his emotion after being rescue.
Reflecting on the experience, Earl expressed a newfound perspective on life.
“The realization that life is more important was a new day. What do I have to complain about? I have a shirt and pants,” he said.
Despite the loss of his boat and belongings, Earl remains hopeful about the future.
After the incident, Shirley continued to seek support for Earl through the GoFundMe page.
The explainied that he lost everything in the storm.
With a goal of $25,000, they hope to help him rebuild his life.
Earl Barcome’s survival, alongside his beloved dog Gunn, is a testament to human resilience.
Though Hurricane Helene destroyed his dream, Earl’s journey to rebuild has just begun.
