(AP Photo, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Joel Brady-Power)
SITKA, Alaska (AP) -
A fisherman spent a night adrift in a 4-by-4 foot (1-meter by 1 -meter) plastic fish bin after his boat was hit by big waves and overturned off the coast of Alaska.
A Coast Guard helicopter hoisted Ryan Harris, 19, of Sitka, from his plastic "lifeboat" on Saturday, more than 24 hours after the boat sank on Friday, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported Monday.
Harris told the newspaper he gave himself pep talks and sang "Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" to keep his spirits up.
His fellow crewmember managed to get into a survival suit and washed ashore on a beach after his own night afloat. Two hours before Harris' rescue, crewmate Stonie "Mac" Huffman was rescued from a beach.
"It's truly a miracle they survived," said Sitka Mountain Rescue Director Don Kluting, who helped in the search.
"I never thought I was going to die, but I was worried about Mac," Harris told the newspaper Monday. "I'm glad to be here."
The two managed to grab some empty fish totes that had washed loose. Huffman stabilized one while Harris climbed inside. The men weren't able to get Huffman into a bin but he took a plastic bin lid for flotation. Eight-foot waves soon separated the men.
The Coast Guard said that Huffman told them the lid drifted away during the two hours that he struggled to get into the survival suit.
At one point, Harris said, his bin dumped him and he struck his head, but he was able to get in and keep it balanced for the remainder of the 26 hours until his rescue.
The toughest part was not knowing the fate of his friend, Harris said.
"I gave myself a pep talk," he said. He kept repeating for four hours: "I'm Ryan Hunter Harris and I'm not going to die here."
Friday, May 24 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:29:58 GMT
The National Park Service is ending unpaid leave for U.S. Park Police officers earlier than expected. National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said the furloughs will end on June 3, after just
The National Park Service is ending unpaid leave for U.S. Park Police officers earlier than expected. National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said the furloughs will end on June 3, after just
A day after laying out his counterterrorism vision, President Barack Obama is addressing future military leaders who could help carry it out in a speech to U.S. Naval Academy graduates.
With a growing sexual assault epidemic staining the military, President Barack Obama urged U.S. Naval Academy graduates Friday to remember their honor depends on what they do when nobody is looking and said the crime has "no...
Friday, May 24 2013 8:33 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:33:54 GMT
As many as 12,000 homes were destroyed by a tornado that ripped through Oklahoma on Monday. Countless residents are unable to return home while repairs are made.
As many as 12,000 homes were destroyed by a tornado that ripped through Oklahoma on Monday. Countless residents are unable to return home while repairs are made. President Barack Obama is expected to visit with residents and state leaders on Sunday. A memorial service for all the victims will also be held.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:04 AM EDT2013-05-24 12:04:02 GMT
The National Hurricane Center is changing the way it talks about storm surge in hopes that emergency officials, the media and the public can better understand the dangerous phenomenon.
The National Hurricane Center is changing the way it talks about storm surge in hopes that emergency officials, the media and the public can better understand the dangerous phenomenon.
The Washington State Patrol says the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon has collapsed, dumping vehicles and people into the water.
An Interstate 5 bridge over a river collapsed north of Seattle Thursday evening, dumping two vehicles into the water and sparking a rescue effort by boats and divers as three injured people were pulled from the chilly...
Friday, May 24 2013 9:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:34:31 GMT
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested by New York City police after investigating a report of her allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:15 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:15:35 GMT
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones.
When workers installed one of the much-heralded bike-sharing stations on West 22nd Street near 10th Avenue, they put it right in front of the brownstones, impacting the entrances for homeowners and tenants.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:09 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:09:32 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:10:09 GMT
AP photo
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
Resorts held a grand opening Thursday for Margaritaville, the $35 million restaurant, bar, and gambling complex that's part of a $70 million expansion and renovation.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:33 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:33:47 GMT
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
New Jersey Transit bus riders will soon have a new way to get across the Hudson River: by boat. The agency is partnering with New York Waterways, which will provide ferry service to customers. The
Authorities say police divers will be back in the Hudson River to resume the search for a man who went into the water while fishing from an Albany-area dock.
Authorities say police divers will be back in the Hudson River to resume the search for a man who went into the water while fishing from an Albany-area dock.
Connecticut is making $5 million available immediately to cities and towns to help reimburse them for school safety and security upgrades following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
Connecticut is making $5 million available immediately to cities and towns to help reimburse them for school safety and security upgrades following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
(AP Photo, Daily Sitka Sentinel, Joel Brady-Power)
