James Grimes celebrated a merry night on the “Carnival Valor” cruise ship. Then he overdid it while going to the bathroom.
It should have been a nice five-day family trip, but it nearly ended in disaster. James Grimes, 28, left New Orleans with his family on Wednesday last week for a five-day cruise.
Grimes celebrated his victory in an air guitar contest with his sister aboard the “Carnival Valor”, which was in the Gulf of Mexico, so he wanted to go to the bathroom. “I had a few drinks. The next thing I know I woke up, there was water everywhere but no ships,” the 28-year-old told ABC News.
“The impact could have killed me. I felt like I was taking a chance and I knew that now all I have to do is swim and survive,” said Grimes. He never accepted that this should be the end of him. “I was determined to get out of there.” The next day, the 28-year-old was not found by his family. When his disappearance was noticed, the ship’s crew immediately alerted the US Coast Guard.
The search area covered 7,000 nautical miles
The Coast Guard immediately launched a search for Grimes. Lifeguard Richard Hoefle involved in the action: “The search area has covered about 7,000 nautical miles (about 13,000 kilometers). It is extremely unlikely to find anyone there.” While the missing passenger was being searched under high pressure, he was adrift in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to his own statements, he even had to fend off a shark attack there. “At first I saw him out of the corner of my eye, he was coming at me quickly,” Grimes said. The animal hit the leg. “I guessed. There he disappeared.”
Rescue after 20 hours
Shortly after the shark attack, the 28-year-old discovered a piece of bamboo in the water. “I sucked it up, it was really good.” But Grimes had been floating in the sea for hours. “I was wondering how much longer I have to hold out.”
Then comes the rescue: just before 8:30 pm, a US Coast Guard helicopter appears. The spotlight caught Grimes, who managed to wave to rescuers. Lifeguard Richard Hoefle: “Mr. Grimes had no more energy. I think he could have stayed afloat for another minute and then he would have disappeared.” After about 20 hours in the open sea, the 28-year-old was rescued. He was taken to a hospital by the Coast Guard. There Grimes said, “I’m so grateful, I’ve been given a life.”
Time of 20 minutes of navigation account04.12.2022, 13:08| Act: 12.04.2022, 13:08