Cheating Death at San Miguel Island; How A Simple Mistake Almost Cost Me My Life

Season 7 : Episode #169 : Escaping Death and Learning Important Lessons.
Hello Friends,
Well here is the full story that we alluded to at the end of last weeks episode. We learned a lot and are fully aware of our mistakes. We are sharing this to hopefully help others.
Love,
James & Camille
Patreon: / sailorjames
Website: svtriteia.com
Tracker: forecast.predi...
Instagram:
/ james.the.sailor.man
/ cum_eels

[@charles.neuman18]

Wow, I'm glad you made it through that. It seems like a very easy situation to get into. In terms of being super-prepared and cautious, I'm curious about a few things that might have been able to work. I don't know how practical they are. I know there's only so much you can bring in a dinghy, but here goes: 1) If you had with you lightweight emergency blankets or some kind of warm clothing, you could have spent the night on shore. That just delays the problem, but at least you'd have daylight, even if the wind didn't die down. 2) If you had a handheld VHF with you, could have called the other boats to help or keep an eye out for you while you made your trip back to the boat? 3) If you had a long rope you could have attached one end to shore and payed it out until you made it to the boat in the dinghy. 4) Or, bring an anchor along and use the anchor and its rode to slowly move downwind to the boat. You might have been able to "steer" by pulling and repositioning the anchor. So, I guess the question is whether it's practical to have any of these things in an emergency kit in the dinghy: emergency warm clothing, VHF, rope, anchor and rode. It's easy to imagine a perfect emergency kit, but in reality, would someone bother to bring all this stuff for just a quick trip to shore? There's a balance. Anyway, high wind is unforgiving, so I don't know if there really was a safe way to do that with minimal equipment. Finally, I like the recommendation to get strong and get good at swimming. I'll definitely keep that in mind, since I'm not in very good shape now.

[@1datsunlover]

Your humility and dedication to others safety is admirable. Respect!

[@SVZonda]

Guys thanks so much for sharing this. It takes a real man/sailor to admit that “I was wrong” and this is why. But it takes a real human being to say “I’m was stupid” and this is why! I’m so glad that you are both OK!! Don’t do what I do, but do what I say! All the best Richard

[@thetraveller3577]

Great comment.

[@hobiegary]

Having tunnel vision and being so cold that you are gray, and blue, and not shivering says that you were very close to losing consciousness and would have probably drowned soon thereafter. I'm so happy that the two of you made it through this event!!

[@dp5475]

Incredibly useful experience for all of us to heed. So often I think, eh I'm a good swimmer and could make it to shore before freezing, and I'll be too active to get cold anyway. He was swimming his heart out and about to go black. Scary stuff.

[@doorsetc9776]

Thanks for being so honest about your experience. I think like a lot of us with sea miles under are belt we become very complacent. It's these types of stories that make me realize how a couple of bad decisions can make the difference between life and death. I'm glad you are both safe and wiser from the experience . Sail On Sailors!

[@No_ReGretzkys99]

Complacency he'll get you killed as we hear it now man I respect the seas but I don't play around with them I got much respect for you guys out there but I'll watch from a distance I'm a big mountain biker though😂😂❤❤❤❤ prayers that y'all stay safe out there man especially in these little boats 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mainewoods5409]

Your courage in telling your story may save someone elses life. Glad you are OK. Cant believe you got your dinghy back(what are the odds?)

[@leejohnnelson]

I always carry a waterproof vhf in dinghy. Glad u ok

[@sgaroutte]

"If you're a sailor you should always marry a lifeguard". That was awesome.

[@kathyinwonderlandl.a.8934]

Meh

[@josephmusembi4391]

She left him :-(

[@MoosePantz]

Oh, my dear friends. I watch all the sailing videos, and this is one of the most honest and important ones of all!! Thank you for all that you share with us, and better times going forward.

[@SailorJames]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@jeredgerson7096]

Dude watching this after hearing this woman left you, makes me sad! I hope you work it out brother

[@ryanjones7681]

He's better off alone. Women aren't worth the trouble they bring.

[@ahoranui]

​@Ryan Jones imagine if your dad had said that about your mom😂

[@jimnielsen6667]

A woman is never yours, it's just your turn.

[@chrisbarriere101]

She saved his life

[@lazyanarchist1146]

These hoes ain't loyal lol

[@keithgarwick7029]

One of the very best sailing videos that I have ever seen, in spite of the fact that it is all narrative. Great lessons, thank you for being so honest. My takaway from this is never allow yourself to create a rushed situation - those throw themselves upon us all by their own. And, Camille did look VERY cool.....

[@sakm44]

I thought the title was click-bait. NOT. Wow dude. It's amazing how quickly things can go south despite all the experience and knowledge. Glad it worked out! Happy New Year to you both.

[@randys1889]

Holy shit! Camille WOW Cheers to you young lady! What an eye opener.

[@johncampbell388]

Camille, I taught life saving. I am so proud of you *not* trying a swimming rescue. Finding a line possibly saved two lives.

[@SVFelurian]

Whatever doesn't kill you makes you smarter!! Thank you for sharing this all so freely, I'm sure it will help many others.👏

[@No_ReGretzkys99]

Yeah but that's not always a good motto to live by man

[@voilierbagatelle6592]

"If you're a sailor you should always marry a lifeguard" The quote of the year ! I am glad you realize how lucky you are having maried a lifeguard, a bright and beautifull one too. Thank you for sharing that experience with us. Thank you for sharing the lessons you learned from it. And, in case you forgot those ones... Put a ladder on that boat to help you climb abord, especialy when your exausted. And a throwing bag with 50 or 75 feet of propylen floating rope. Now you can appreciate how important those safety gear are.

[@dl6225]

"Good judgement comes from experience while an experience is often the result of poor judgement." Dr. White... Often true in the mountains too. Good job you two for keeping it together under those circumstances.

[@manfredolson6889]

I recently told someone that the ocean cares not for mortal flesh. But, from the story, I’d say that when Camille was at the end of the rope and James was at the end of his and the boat yawed over just enough to allow one last gasp of energy to make the kink and effect the self rescue of you both that I stand corrected. It appears that the ocean showed you mercy because it wants you to share more of yourselves with us. Often it is better to be lucky than good. And being lucky and good makes stories like this happy in the end. Y’all deserve to be alive. 🤙🤙🤟

[@manfredolson6889]

Link*. Wooops!!

[@joncatalano5923]

Wow, scary stuff. Thank you for telling us about it. That took a lot of courage.

[@robertlisenby7555]

Well I'm glad between the both of you you saved each other's life. Learn from what happened and make sure you don't have to put yourself through that again heaven forbid. Love you guys love your videos and pray that you're staying healthy from now on. This is from Robert in San Diego and Sonja. We've lost family members and dealt with this virus that's been going around like everybody else and these last couple of years have been just like unpredictable for sure and I hope things start to stabilize soon cuz it's crazy 😎✌️👍

[@tvonzweck]

You both rock! You made a mistake, Camille saved you. You lived to share your experience, thank you and thank God🙏

[@johnwheeler796]

Thanks for telling the story - those Channel islands can be so unpredictable for sure - glad you guys are all safe - just another lesson learned ..we always have to be taught - safe travels you two...one of the best true sailing channels out here love the content of your videos

[@kevinallen6197]

My friend fell off a fishing boat in Cabo on the way in and nobody noticed. He was in the water a mile off shore for almost 2 hrs. The crew realized and backtracked right before sunset and found him. Talk about a finding Gid moment.

[@erents1]

I owned a kayak/sup/sailboat rental for 28 years and I used to refuse rentals to anyone wearing jeans because cotton kills.You owe your life to Camille! Her physical strength, rescue training, clothes saved you and I am especially glad you had each other, that was the one thing that saved you both, you didn’t go out alone.It’s awesome you decided to share your experience with the world, cotton kills!

[@chrisbarriere101]

I would never take anyone out on my kayaks if they were not wearing wetsuits

[@lazyanarchist1146]

Man you jave my dream biz! How was it? How did you get started? Got a video?

[@sheldonhoyt6624]

Im just imagining you flipping this boat. Similar story happened to me when I was going through the COXSWAIN course while I was at Little Creek, VA. I was coming in to land on the beach in a F470 Zodiac. Had dual 35hp outboards with jet pumps over props. came in to close to the wave in front of me. it crashed and wave came behind me and turned that boat end over end. It was a bad situation. I was driving and honestly we were lucky nobody lost their life in that incident. the surf was prob 6-7 foot waves. was a painful lesson to learn man. scary.

[@bryanbadger6841]

Most importantly, James and Camille, YOU SURVIVED. and a lesson has been learnt. You had age and fitness as an advantage. And now you have 2021 to look forward to. And I'm ending my comment how I normally end it. "Take care and stay safe." All the best from me down here in Nz.

[@ezezezy]

I think it’s great that you guys had the guts to share this mishap..All of us on the water make mistakes mostly it works out .. I did have hyperthermia once on my own as I’m a solo sailor. Managed to heat a tin of soup wrapped in warm blanket ..not fun ..

[@millenniumtree]

What a scary situation! At the point of realizing I had no oars, I would probably have found a dry spot and slept under the dinghy. I am not a strong swimmer. Glad you made it out alive! The no shivering thing is good information. Terrifying, but good to know.

[@svsandpebble]

James, total respect for you, your wife and your channel, most of all your honesty is sharing the good, the bad and the ugly. I'm in Alamitos Bay, I hope to bump into you guys one day.

[@sammason666]

Thanks for sharing, I'm sure this will save someones life at some point. You guys rock

[@daylightechoes3668]

James, it's said an accident is not a single event, but a series of contributing events. It sounds like you were not more than one or two such 'moments' removed from Davey Jones' Locker. Thank you for sharing the lesson with us. I'm at the beginning of my boating career (nearing retirement) and your story is not lost on me. Camille, you're pretty awesome. Both you guys take care. Alan, La Buena Vida, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard.

[@chrisbarriere101]

Ya they were about 15 seconds away at 7 different points

[@gabrielcain8975]

I'm really glad the two of you are OK! That sounds like such a scary experience. Thanks for being brave enough to share with us so that hopefully someone can avoid this experience. I'm sure you'll never make this mistake again.

[@paulcollins9397]

An old sailor once wrote “Engines get sailboats into places where sailboats don’t belong!” (Dinghy too!)

[@sartorst3376]

So true . I took a dingy ride in winds that I would have never tried to row in and guess what, the outboard died . I was rowing like my life depended on it which it did. If I missed a single stroke it would cost me 50 feet before I could get pointed in the correct direction and moving again. I was pissed when I discovered afterwards the tank vent was closed.

[@harveyg845]

Way to go Camille, you kept a cool head in a real bad moment ,when some might not have been able too. James is a lucky lucky man to have had you out there with him that day.

[@rafaeldacruz4898]

Thank you for sharing. A portable vhf on your bag would probably also help. Would make calling those boats on anchorage a breeze

[@stever2583]

Wow, what we do with complacency, takes guts to share and I personally thank you. Every sailor should thank you. I've been guilty myself of such behavior. I went through the ice while walking my dog. I was lucky myself.

[@odinn50]

Wow, what a cautionary story to share with the rest of us. Glad you survived and eventually got your equipment back. Thank you for sharing.

[@markhunter7444]

Thanks for sharing, brave of you to tell the story. Just within my family I probably have 5 close call dingy stories so there are definitely no 'told you so's'. Part of my every time dingy checklist: PFD's with loud whistle, submersible vhf, anchor, ours. When cruising I always have six feet of line with 3 loops about 6 ft long tied to a stanchion base for getting out of the water. Even though its scary and embarrassing, everyone is glad it turned out the way it did.

[@gerrycrisostomo6571]

Thank God you are both OK. Thanks for sharing your awesome but scary experience and may this also be a lesson to many sailors and ordinary people out there. God Bless everyone and stay safe.

[@shanelewis9354]

Thank you for finding the courage to share your experience with us. As we all know many of the channels would never share the unfortunate things that happen but you did and you should be applauded. There are a lot of things we can learn from this situation (good and bad) and also for the rest of us who are planning to live this lifestyle we need to also be reminded of the danger that can and will acquire at sea. May God continue to watch over you and keep you safe. I personally really appreciate you sharing. Cheers

[@davebrown1975]

Wow, what a story. Appreciate you sharing this immensely, it's crucially important to know this lifestyle is not always picture postcard scenarios and a wrong decision can have devastating effects in the snap of a finger. Love the channel and the insights into this world. Thanks James (and Camille of course!)

[@YZF_R1Yamaha]

That’s a hell of a survival story James and Camille. Lesson learned always wear an inflatable life vest especially when in a dinghy with high winds. No question your wife saved your life. Moral of the story? James said if you’re a sailor marry a lifeguard. I would agree 100% with that. PS my Erickson 27’ has a lot of free board so I always leave a ladder out at Anchorage.

[@SailorJames]

Actually it would have been impossible to swim to the boat in those winds in a pfd , we would have had to take them off and use them the same way we used the pfd seats

[@YZF_R1Yamaha]

@@SailorJames I agree with you that you should have stayed ashore rather than facing those high winds with no paddles. Though I would be worried about catching hypothermia given you were soaking wet. You said that the next morning there was no wind and no breakers so you would have an easier time getting back. But of course if you had done that Murphy’s Law would rule. The winds would’ve blown 40 kn for three days straight but perhaps the fishermen might have noticed you were in trouble then? A water proof portable VHF radio no doubt be in your survival kit next time. It’s celebration time for you all since you both survived. From your video it definitely sounds like you were very close to death from hypothermia. My friend had hypothermia on a long backpacking trip we did in the Kimberly Australia. William was so out of it he set his hand on fire By pouring white gas onto an open flame trying to light a fire. Good news the Coast Guard was able to retrieve your gear from the dinghy that washed ashore on Santa Rosa. So I take it we have more Santa Rosa sailing to look forward to right? Hope so. Love your channel.

[@TheMadpyrate]

Glad you're alright! Thanks for sharing. Good work Camille!

[@redsnappersadler34]

Thanks for posting and glad your both ok. Dinghies can be very dangerous - know of a couple of people who have drowned in similar circumstances

[@bitsurfr46]

I so appreciate your honesty. So many cruising videos hide the dangers of being at sea. The worst things they show are mechanical breakdowns. Seamanship requires above all preparation and good judgment.😮

[@captainjimolchs]

The real danger is that they got too close to shore.

[@gregmaciver905]

Great breakdown. Warm sugary drinks are great to fight hypothermia. The sugar provides energy to jump start the body. And obviously warmth is what you need. I keep a packet of hot chocolate in my emergency gear.....it is tough if you're too cold to heat the water though

[@oe3craneguy]

Complacency was the real problem. You 2 have done this for how long? And you got complacent which is a problem everyone runs into but seeing how you don’t live like most people it becomes magnified for you. So glad everything turned out ok. It takes a big person to share their mistakes so you can teach others. This video may save a life. Thanks for sharing

[@christinagange3831]

I just found this channel & I'm obsessed with it!

[@alanluscombe8a553]

Damn man. Thanks for sharing that. I’ve noticed every dangerous situation I’ve been in has started with small choices that by themselves isn’t a big deal

[@SailorJames]

💯💯💯 it’s that deadly dominoes effect

[@SailingABSea]

Wow that's a hell of story and you're both lucky to be alive to tell it. Thanks for sharing.

[@bryank.johnson4575]

Thank you to both of you for sharing your story. I am so glad that you were able to overcome that life threatening situation. Thanks for the details. So many lessons on what to do and what not to do.

[@alanmintymint5676]

You have a set of balls telling this story. Well done. I think this really demonstrates how the simplest of oversights can get you in real trouble, and I believe this may well save someone else's life. Love you guys X

[@SailorJames]

Yeah its VERY easy to get into a situation like this and equally as easy to avoid it as long as you stop to consider certain things.

[@alanmintymint5676]

@@SailorJames absolutely. As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Your telling of this story has given me pause for thought though. Clearly demonstrates the requirement to stop, think, and act.

[@scottbrechbiel2889]

Thanks for telling your story. You guys are awesome and glad it turned out the way it did. Some lessons are learned harder than others.

[@mikemikie8312]

WOW James and Camille so glad you both survived.

[@RockAndRollKing2287]

That’s some true talk brother , shits gets real crazy real fast , I will take your experience n make those precautions !

[@GrampalettasCamp]

Sharing this may save future lives. Thanks. I always keep a rescue throw bag hanging on the stern pulpit of my 31’ Irwin along with a horseshoe buoy. Also keep a 4 part block and tackle in the cockpit locker to raise a man overboard. Attach to end of boom

[@triton_6633]

Omg, scary story! James, please don’t beat yourself up too bad, we are all humans and as humans we are all doomed to make mistakes, even life threatening ones. BTW, it’s your candor, humility, humor, and informative content that makes your channel so great to watch! Glad you and Camille are safe. I like your lessons learned ideas and will apply them (I have a ‘66 Pearson Triton) in our adventures. My wife and I are not as young (or as fit) as you two so a situation like that would have doomed us I think.

[@mmcguinness75mm]

I’m so glad you guys were there for each other!

[@greghounsell8992]

So glad you both are ok. And Thank you for sharing your experience as a lesson for the rest of us. There are several changes happening you have mentioned- I hope one will be wearable pad and not those cushions.

[@SailorJames]

It would have been impossible to swim with a life jacket on in those winds

[@Sailspirit99]

@@SailorJames re swimming with a life jacket, inflatable PFDs can be deflated. Just did a Sea Safety & Survival course - best thing I learned was how to deflate the life jacket so that it still has buoyancy but I could still swim and move around. EVERYONE needs to jump in, inflate their jacket and learn to deflate/inflate it as you need to. Only costs the gas bottle.

[@greghounsell8992]

That'll a judgement call whether floatation is more important once you get tired or ease of swimming. With a manual inflatable you could swim and then inflate once tired. But thats only if one has their wits about them at that point too. Tough call. Tough situation to be in.

[@ww07ff]

This is undoubtedly the most important video of your channel. Congrats for overcome your ego to preserve others life, a very nobel act. Sail to Brazil someday. Fair winds!

[@sailingwiththeerros9139]

Cheers for sharing. Water proof matches in the boat. Get a fire going and rough it for the night is the lesson i get from this episode.

[@ianmerrill9819]

Thank you for sharing, these stories are important to keep others safe in the future. Having the story in my head will help me to foresee these similar situations and know when not to go...

[@jamieomalley9615]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I learned quite a bit from your story and you answered a question for me about how I might get someone back in the boat if they can't help themselves. I want to practice that technique in a non-emergency situation. Also glad you got your dinghy and your gear back! You are lucky: your life, your dinghy, your gear, and a hearty lesson to share with others!

[@DesertDogJournal]

Thanks for sharing. I’m sure it was a hard decision, but this is the sort of lesson learned that saves lives. In the flying community, we say, “Don’t rush to the scene of the accident”. Hurrying rarely leads to good things.

[@keithhumpherys8343]

Our junior high school had a swim pool and every kid had to learn to float for 15 minutes without using arms and legs. It was beach city in southern California. The idea was not to panic in the ocean. She is awesome to be so extremely focus in an emergency.

[@azdakrowflyz5963]

Glad you're ok, thanks sooo much for the warning , it just may save another life. Maybe mine or someone I love.

[@pj-light-glass]

That's a scary experience! "Throwing caution to the wind", brings on full meaning! Sort of like when riding motorcycles, there's a specific list of "do's and don'ts", and remembering safety first. 💙💚💙💚💙

[@chrishuntze3446]

Just came upon your videos. Glad your brush with death ended the way it did. Hypothermia is very powerful in sapping our energy... Yes I agree,, James not shivering was not good!!! One aspect I thought of for future training/planning, If you have a dingy, or small boat, kayak or canoe, when it is windy,,, just let the boat drift away from a dock or anchored boat and observe how much distance is covered in a very short amount of time.. I have always underestimated how fast even a 3-5 knot wind will move a small boat along the surface.... I am so glad you were able to kick to power the dingy as far as you did,,,, those have so much "side sail"... Again,, glad it worked out the way it did,, and thanks for sharing your experience. I know it will keep those who view it more aware and thinking.. Thanks

[@chrisbarriere101]

So I finally watched this video, and I gotta say, a late welcome to the unpredictable Santa Barbara Channel Islands. We get unpredictable sets of deep swell hit the backside of the islands. To beach at the Channel Islands safely you Gotta get a solid hull dingy with hard mount oar lock stays. No BS people sink there quite often in “stable conditions”. We rarely beach at San Miguel and I have been going out there since I was 6. And yes elephant seals have killed numerous people. You two are very very very lucky you survived without getting even any minor injuries.

[@randyhilton6629]

Glad to hear you two are alright. Thanks for the courage to share this lesson with us. Haste makes waste.

[@ryanspalding6252]

And I thought I wanted to venture out kayaking alone to go snorkeling...Now I know that would be a STUPID IDEA as anything can happen, and that mistake could cost me my life. Thanks for uploading this, glad y'all are OK.

[@SailorJames]

Did you see the comment of the guy who went kayak fishing alone? So scary

[@ryanspalding6252]

@@SailorJames Just found it, jeez that is my nightmare. Now I know if I'm going kayaking to wear a wetsuit, a helmet if I'm around rocks, a PFD, clip my paddles into me, and always carry a PRB for if shit really hits the fan. Seems like you can never be too prepared when you're in the ocean, even if you're around other boats/people.

[@chrisbarriere101]

I will go with you anytime

[@chicoastro1]

Intense story, I'm glad you guys are ok now. You didn't mention a dinghy anchor in your checklist items, I wonder if one of those might have been useful at some point. Thanks for sharing, stay safe.

[@captainjimolchs]

How?

[@glenpang5025]

Very good share. A lot of scary water events begin with a seemingly benign small situation that escalate. Woke me up to rethink every procedure I routinely do. Murphy’s law happens. I once had my anchor rode wrap around my keel 3 wraps w/ wind shift. On a friends boat, the anchor separated from rode because of deferred maintenance. Seizing wire rusted & shackle just plain let go of anchor and rode. Even though very light winds & 1/3 knot drift, we thought “hey, why are we drifting , that’s strange” I begin to pull up anchor & it was not attached to end of rope. Silly,silly. How about while single handed sailing and halyard wraps & kinks around light fixture on mast preventing me from hoisting mainsail while exiting Ala Wai harbor channel. Being overly methodical, super detail oriented, is a safety factor that can save a life. Oh, not to mention, we almost drifted nose first into the Atlantis Submarine off Waikiki with tourists on it as sub was unloading tourist onto large boat tender that takes them back to the Hilton Hawaiian Village pier. That one began with main sheet tang snapping, drift for a safe distance, then to a dangerously close distance, rush to start motor & finally stopped drifting within 3 feet bow to the submarine! Yikes. I don’t care even if I look like an idiot by being too disciplined, to “mr. safety” like, because I know life threatening situations quietly sneak up on you when on the ocean.

[@donjvalley]

So glad that you both are safe! I like the dinghy 'checklist' idea, always having vhf/sat phone handy, and food, fire source and life-jackets, as well...The engine shouldn't be a total loss; Sailing Zingaro sanks his 'porta boat' three times, in the past two years, and cleaned up the engine with fresh water, re-built the carb, etc, each time. A bigger engine would also be a plus, if the dinghy can handle it...

[@esling77]

WOW. I can only say Ty for sharing your story because I for one will think about it and it may save my life or someone else's life. Glad you guys are here with us.

[@genethompson2064]

Thank you for sharing. Experiences like these are life changing for you and scare the hell out of me. We are in our 70s and it is getting more and more difficult to do things aboard. Absolutely must not get in over our head, brute strength no longer can be relied upon.

[@finesebuendia8145]

Thank you for sharing this harrowing experience. It was very brave of you both and could possibly save the lives of others.

[@randywarren6925]

Our lives are full of memories, some good some bad some we are never ment to forget. I'm happy you both are safe now. Thanks for sharing.😇😎🇺🇸

[@donnakawana]

Man, I'm so glad y'all have each other ! Sending love an light an hugs!

[@oldsailor9022]

I have seen so many close calls with dinghies trips, almost always from a cascade of small errors and mistakes. Glad you are safe.

[@garthpurnick6581]

That what doesn't kill you makes you stronger..... or something like that. Glad you two are ok!

[@trhosking]

That's really scary. Many years ago, my friend Chris and myself went night fishing on Dungeness beach in Kent, UK. There was a gale force wind building. That beach is a steep shingle bank where the waves break close to the shore and generate a massive undertow. I cast my line, parked my rod about 20 yards from the shore and started to retreat safe distance back up the bank. The next thing I recall was bing hit by a freak wave and being in the water, The undertow dragged me along the shingle for some distance before I popped up about 40 yards offshore. I really had no idea where I was, which way the beach was, or indeed, which way was up. The wind was pushing me back towards the shore and I caught sight of Chris's Tilley lamp which he was waving in an attempt to see me. As I got close to the beach a breaker caught me and threw me onto the shingle, only to drag me back in and under again. I was like being in an ice-cold washing machine. Yet again, after surfacing offshore I was swept back and rolled over. On the third cycle, a wave threw me far enough onto the beach for Chris to grab my arm and drag me to safety. I was practically naked having lost my jeans, underwear and jacket. Once I was safely ashore, Chris gave me his coat and ran for help in the seaside pub which was a short distance up the beach. Although it was about 3am. the landlord helped retrieve me, called an ambulance and set me up with dry clothes and a blanket. That night, skill or experience didn't save me. The sea just decided it didn't want me.

[@bwfvc7770]

Brilliant! What an amazing lesson, thanks so much for sharing. You nearly got, Got! All the best and thanks again for sharing.

[@clintdavis47]

Friend of mine almost lost his life when he thought he could row down wind to his anchored sailboat boat when the current took him out to sea for two days and he was picked up by shrimpers who were cussing each other out over chore duties when one said to the other is that a little boat over there ?

[@tpower7382]

Glad you two are here to tell the story. Thanks for posting, cheers.

[@kevinhildum9186]

Well congratulations on your success, a situation that you will never forget and that will always be remembered. I've had two situation somewhat similar that I do not care to extrapolate on but I will never make those same mistakes that I made. Camille you are a beautiful capable woman and you have a lucky man to have you.

[@crazyirish__2171]

I had a similar experience when I was 9 years old. I will never try to go ashore with waves over 4 feet. However, your experience was way worse. I had a life vest on, wooden oars, and the Johnson 2 horses power motor was water logged. My father let me have it when I got to the boat. That was in 1983. Off the coast of Malibu.

[@thetraveller3577]

Awesome content. Its made me stop and think. Mental checklists. Back up plans. Good habits. And not depending on good luck. Thanks for the great account of how it unfolded.

[@dp5475]

Man, I was just about to pull into Cuyler this weekend and can imagine myself doing the same dang thing. I decided to head down wind to Beechers where it was still the roughest night I ever had. Can't imagine how San Miguel was that night.

[@atxsailor452]

Thanks for the honesty and your look back evaluation. Very thankful you were able to survive such a bad situation and sorry you guys lost so much gear! Because we have such a high free board our SOP is to drop a ladder over the side when at anchor.

[@tartansailor]

That is quite a lesson learned and for all of us a strong warning to be prudent. Thank you for sharing. Richard

[@captaincam1424]

Thanks for sharing! It takes courage to admit failure. What you share may save others. My dinghy kit includes a whistle, flares, and a handheld VHF. Now I’m going to add matches, fire starter, and space blankets! If you’re in San Diego, beer and tacos are on me. Cheers!

[@waywardspirit7898]

Wow, what a harrowing experience. So glad you made it. Lots of lessons for ME and my ship to take from this. Thanx for sharing.

[@Sailspirit99]

Please, all who go to sea, learn to be able to deflate your inflatable PFD, enough to swim, not too much that you don’t have buoyancy. Mine inflated so much I could barely breathe, couldn’t swim, etc, but once I deflated it a bit, so much better. It’s also really easy to inflate again.Also, a crotch strap should be mandatory! Please jump in and try out these PFDs, get familiar with it, the replacement gas cartridge is a small cost vs your life. Learn to swim on your back and side and front. Try them out in the water please. So glad you two made it safely back onboard. A lot of lessons learned. Thank you for sharing. I’m an older solo sailor so have to be always mindful that I don’t have anyone to pull me back onboard. For the first time in my life a couple of years ago I fell out of someone else’s dinghy in rough conditions. Lots of lessons learnt, and yes, hell embarrassed.

[@rickerzrealm2244]

That was a great wakeup call for me as well. I've gotten way to use to fins in my later years. Time to ditch the fins for a bit until I am comfortable swimming without them again. I have to remember that fins are just a luxury. Thank you for the hard truth. Total Respect.

[@SailorJames]

Yeah nowadays when I am under anchorage I always swim a lap or two around the boat with no fins or goggles or snorkel, it’s so easy to forget how much they aid us in the water

[@owenfogel8164]

best video so far. Honest and very eye-opening. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work

[@spidermoose]

Thank you for sharing. So it will not be happen to others. It's for sure a warning to me.

[@Truecrimecommunity]

Glad you made it mate! Look forward to seeing you someone on the high seas or in a cove in the next 3-4 years. I’m leaving life on land behind to go be free.

[@abderrahmanegouasmi7556]

Very terrifying story. I understand why you love her. Happy you were able to do it to the boat. Thank you.

[@Kirkbdavis]

I’d like to think I would have turned back when I got hit by the first waves but the reality is I probably would have gone on also. The hardest thing is to pick that choice early on. “...the safety of the operator is more important than any other point. Greater prudence is needed rather than greater skill.” - Wilbur Wright, 1901