In a remarkable story of survival, a Long Island swimmer was rescued after treading water for five hours in the Atlantic Ocean. Dan Ho, 63, had gone for a swim at Cedar Beach in Babylon early Monday morning when he was swept away by strong currents. Without any flotation devices, Ho found himself two-and-a-half miles off the coast, desperately trying to stay afloat. In a stroke of ingenuity, he discovered a broken fishing rod floating in the water and quickly tied his shirt to it, creating a makeshift flag to attract attention.
Fortunately, his efforts paid off when retired FDNY marine engineer Jim Hohorst and his friend Michael Ross spotted the flag waving in the distance. The two fishermen were out on their boat when they noticed the unusual sight and decided to investigate. As they approached, they were shocked to find Ho barely alive in the water. "We thought it was a lobster flag at first, but something seemed off. As we got closer, we saw you," Hohorst told Ho during their emotional reunion at Bay Shore Marina.
Ho explained that he had been screaming for help as boats passed by, but no one seemed to hear him over the sound of the waves crashing around him. That's when he decided to tie his shirt to the fishing rod and wave it desperately in the air. "I tried everything to stay alive. I was just swallowing water and vomiting the whole time," Ho recounted. The two fishermen estimated that Ho had about 30 minutes left to live before succumbing to exhaustion and hypothermia.
Hohorst and Ross wasted no time in pulling Ho out of the water and onto their boat. They quickly realized the severity of his condition as he was completely frozen and unable to stand on his own. They removed his soaking wet clothes and wrapped him in blankets to warm him up while they waited for police to arrive. Once on board the Suffolk Police Department's boat, Ho was treated for hypothermia before being transferred to Good Samaritan University Hospital for further treatment.
Ho, who spent the night at the hospital, expressed gratitude for his rescuers and the medical staff who cared for him. "I feel healthy and strong now," he said, dressed in a blue hospital-issued outfit. However, during the reunion gathering, Ho revealed that he had actually been in the water for around 13 hours, contrary to the initial police report stating it was only five hours. He explained that he had entered the water the previous evening after a band performance at the Salt Shack, and his knees buckled in the soft sand, causing him to be swept out to sea.
The exact duration of Ho's ordeal remains unclear, but the water temperature of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit suggested that hypothermia could have set in within two to seven hours. Swimmers can survive up to 40 hours in water temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees. The Suffolk Police Department is now investigating the incident, focusing on maritime accidents.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the timeline, Ho's incredible survival and the heroic efforts of Hohorst and Ross serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Ho's resourcefulness in creating a makeshift flag and the keen observation skills of the two fishermen ultimately saved his life. As the Long Island community celebrates his miraculous rescue, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of ocean swimming and the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of unexpected challenges.
