Last Updated on May 30, 2024 by Dog Lover
Mississippi man’s TikTok goes viral after posting ‘last message’ to family, dog when boat sinks
Easton Barrett, a 33-year-old fisherman from Mississippi, found himself in a life-threatening situation when his boat sank during a fishing tournament in the Gulf of Mexico last Saturday. Along with four friends, Barrett was left stranded in the water, clinging to floating ice chests, after their 28-foot Pursuit center console fishing boat mysteriously sank about 30 miles offshore.
With no time to call for help or grab flares, Barrett managed to record a short video on his phone, which he later posted to TikTok, where it has been viewed more than 6 million times. In the video, set to the tune of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” from the movie Titanic, Barrett expressed his belief that the video could be his final message to his family and his 12-week-old puppy named Louie.
The men remained calm and stayed together in the water, with Barrett’s phone surprisingly still working despite being submerged. After more than four hours of drifting, they were finally rescued by the Coast Guard in Alabama waters, about 12 to 15 miles from where the boat went down.
Barrett credits the three floating ice chests and the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) with saving their lives. He emphasizes the importance of having proper equipment, such as high-quality lifejackets and EPIRBs, which he believes should be mandatory for all boaters.
Barrett plans to lobby for a law to make EPIRBs a requirement, as he believes they made the difference in alerting the Coast Guard and ensuring their rescue.The viral video serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of boating and the importance of being prepared for emergencies.
Barrett’s experience highlights the value of investing in reliable safety equipment and having a plan in place for when the unthinkable happens.
