kenimpzoom
Rear Admiral
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2002
- Messages
- 4,807
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4815561.html
Two fishermen missing since Wednesday have been found, the Coast Guard said.
Aaron Pilcher, 29, climbed aboard a manned oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico around 4 a.m. and reported that his friend, Michael Prahm, was alive and swimming nearby, Coast Guard spokesman Adam Eggers said today.
Shortly after 6 a.m., the Coast Guard cutter Amberjack found the second man nearby.
Pilcher told officials he managed to swim to the platform after the pleasure craft he and his companion were in sank, Eggers said. Pilcher telephoned a relative sometime around 4 a.m. and Coast Guard rescue efforts were immediately intensified, Eggers said.
"We're were told that he's fairly fatigued, so we're trying to get folks out there as soon as possible," Eggers said of Pilcher earlier this morning.
"It was a manned oil rig," Eggers said. "Last I heard, he's sitting there eating breakfast and trying to get some of his strength back."
The two men are from Friendswood in Galveston County, Eggers said.
Around 7 a.m., the men were on a helicopter headed for a private airport in Brazoria County, the Coast Guard reported.
From there, the Coast Guard had expected the men to be taken to an Angleton hospital for a checkup.
But Wallace Pilcher, the grandfather of Aaron Pilcher, was at the hospital and he said he had received word that the men were not planning to go to a hospital after landing.
Pilcher, of Cleveland in Liberty County, was joyous that the two survived.
``But I hope they outlaw eating fish,'' Pilcher said in a brief interview before he headed out to try to find his grandson.
Pilcher and Prahm departed the Bridge Bait and Tackle Slip in Freeport Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in a 23-foot Mako boat. Their plan was to go fishing in the Gulf of Mexico near a popular fishing spot, locally known as the 22 1/2 Fathom Lump.
Prior to departing Pilcher called his wife and told her that they had experienced engine trouble but were able to make repairs. He then told her that they were continuing with the fishing trip and expected to return between 5 and 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
It was unclear when the men's boat sank.
Ken
Two fishermen missing since Wednesday have been found, the Coast Guard said.
Aaron Pilcher, 29, climbed aboard a manned oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico around 4 a.m. and reported that his friend, Michael Prahm, was alive and swimming nearby, Coast Guard spokesman Adam Eggers said today.
Shortly after 6 a.m., the Coast Guard cutter Amberjack found the second man nearby.
Pilcher told officials he managed to swim to the platform after the pleasure craft he and his companion were in sank, Eggers said. Pilcher telephoned a relative sometime around 4 a.m. and Coast Guard rescue efforts were immediately intensified, Eggers said.
"We're were told that he's fairly fatigued, so we're trying to get folks out there as soon as possible," Eggers said of Pilcher earlier this morning.
"It was a manned oil rig," Eggers said. "Last I heard, he's sitting there eating breakfast and trying to get some of his strength back."
The two men are from Friendswood in Galveston County, Eggers said.
Around 7 a.m., the men were on a helicopter headed for a private airport in Brazoria County, the Coast Guard reported.
From there, the Coast Guard had expected the men to be taken to an Angleton hospital for a checkup.
But Wallace Pilcher, the grandfather of Aaron Pilcher, was at the hospital and he said he had received word that the men were not planning to go to a hospital after landing.
Pilcher, of Cleveland in Liberty County, was joyous that the two survived.
``But I hope they outlaw eating fish,'' Pilcher said in a brief interview before he headed out to try to find his grandson.
Pilcher and Prahm departed the Bridge Bait and Tackle Slip in Freeport Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in a 23-foot Mako boat. Their plan was to go fishing in the Gulf of Mexico near a popular fishing spot, locally known as the 22 1/2 Fathom Lump.
Prior to departing Pilcher called his wife and told her that they had experienced engine trouble but were able to make repairs. He then told her that they were continuing with the fishing trip and expected to return between 5 and 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
It was unclear when the men's boat sank.
Ken
