Firefighter Otto Scherick was off duty near Big Talbot Island, celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday, when he heard people calling for help. He ran to the shoreline and saw three boaters clinging to their overturned vessel offshore.

There were no life jackets on board. Scherick swam out, assessed the conditions, and decided their best chance was to make it back to shore. He disconnected the boat’s gas tank to use as a flotation aid and helped guide the group in. A bystander also swam out and stayed with them.

About 27 minutes after the first emergency call, all three boaters were safely back on land. No injuries were reported.

Scherick didn’t have his crew or rescue gear with him. He heard a call for help and went.

Graphic: Original headline card by The Daily Hope News Network.

Source: News4Jax original report.