Richard McClow Says He 'Loved' the Challenge of Being Stranded on a Deserted Bahamas Island
79-year-old man survives three days on a desert island.
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March 17, 2010
Richard McClow likes to spend winters on his boat in Florida, from where he can visit his girlfriend in the Bahamas, but a recent trip went terribly wrong when his 23-foot cabin cruiser hit a reef and capsized amid a storm, according to media reports.
Fortunately, McClow jumped before the boat sank and swam to a nearby island where he found himself stranded for three days, surviving on items from his boat - including water, bread, cheese, ketchup and Chinese takeout - that continued to wash out on the island, NBCChicago.com reported.
Finally, on the third day a fishing boat picked him up, and when asked about his reaction, the 79-year-old survivor commented that "I've always loved a challenge."
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, nearly 700 people died in recreational boating accidents in 2007, and experts warn that in addition to excessive speed, insufficient experience or knowledge of the terrain are frequent contributing factors.
The use of emergency gear such as life-jackets is important during a boating trip, as the Coast Guard's statistics suggest more than two-thirds of all fatalities are due to drowning. Of those, nearly 90 percent were not wearing a life vest, the source says.
It is also recommended to be realistic about one's navigational skills and hire a professional and experienced captain when faced with a difficult or unfamiliar terrain.
The Crash Survivors Network offers support and resources for survivors and their families coping with the aftermath of a serious accident.
Richard McClow likes to spend winters on his boat in Florida, from where he can visit his girlfriend in the Bahamas, but a recent trip went terribly wrong when his 23-foot cabin cruiser hit a reef and capsized amid a storm, according to media reports.
Fortunately, McClow jumped before the boat sank and swam to a nearby island where he found himself stranded for three days, surviving on items from his boat - including water, bread, cheese, ketchup and Chinese takeout - that continued to wash out on the island, NBCChicago.com reported.
Finally, on the third day a fishing boat picked him up, and when asked about his reaction, the 79-year-old survivor commented that "I've always loved a challenge."
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, nearly 700 people died in recreational boating accidents in 2007, and experts warn that in addition to excessive speed, insufficient experience or knowledge of the terrain are frequent contributing factors.
The use of emergency gear such as life-jackets is important during a boating trip, as the Coast Guard's statistics suggest more than two-thirds of all fatalities are due to drowning. Of those, nearly 90 percent were not wearing a life vest, the source says.
It is also recommended to be realistic about one's navigational skills and hire a professional and experienced captain when faced with a difficult or unfamiliar terrain.
The Crash Survivors Network offers support and resources for survivors and their families coping with the aftermath of a serious accident.
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