In a remarkable tale of survival from two decades ago, Josh Long, now 38, reflects on his harrowing experience of being adrift at sea alongside his best friend, Troy Driscoll. Their extraordinary journey captured the attention of the nation in 2005 when they were stranded for a week in the Atlantic Ocean without food or water, a story that still resonates today.
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The fateful adventure began on April 24, 2005, when Long, then 17, and 15-year-old Driscoll set off from a South Carolina beach in a 15-foot boat, which lacked an engine or sail. With aspirations of paddling a short distance from the shore, the pair were unexpectedly swept away by a powerful riptide. What was meant to be a brief outing quickly turned into a dire situation as they drifted helplessly into the vastness of the ocean for nearly a week.
During their time at sea, the boys faced immense challenges. With no provisions at hand, they resorted to consuming jellyfish and catching rainwater as a way to survive. Long recalls the excruciating struggle: “We just suffered,” he stated, emphasising the resilience required to withstand hunger and dehydration. The boys also took turns wearing a single wet suit for warmth while huddling together during the chilly nights.
As search efforts intensified back home, their families grappled with painful thoughts about their fate. Tony Driscoll, Troy’s father, reminisced about the feeling of despair, noting that his training as a former fireman and Navy veteran made him suspect they might not be found alive. Day by day, hope was gradually fading for their loved ones.
After enduring the torment of the sea and evading potential shark encounters, Long found himself praying for either salvation or an end to their suffering. “I just knew that our chance of survival was dropping every day,” he explained. On April 30, 2005, after having drifted 111 miles north to the coast of Cape Fear, the boys were suddenly discovered by a passing fishing boat, a moment described by Long as miraculous.
Ben Degutis and Rick Smith, the fishermen who rescued them, were astonished by the sight. Smith, moved by the boys’ ordeal, noted that Driscoll looked as though he had come “from heaven.” Tragically, Smith later passed away from cancer in 2022, but he had formed a deep bond with the boys during their subsequent friendship built on gratitude and shared experiences.
The intense public interest in their story immediately escalated following their rescue, which led to media appearances including a stint on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. Reflecting on the whirlwind of that era, Long acknowledged the unexpected fame they experienced, stating, “The little five minutes of fame, meeting celebrities and stuff, it was fun. But I tried not to get too carried away.” He regarded their return to safety as a second chance at life and one he vowed not to squander.
Today, Long remains in Charleston, working as a general contractor focused on building gas stations and proudly serving in the National Guard for 17 years. He is married to AJ, 32, and together they parent a blended family consisting of three children. Long has also resumed a passion for fishing, albeit with far more preparation this time around.
Conversely, Driscoll, now 36, has turned to a career as a firefighter within the Charleston area and has a daughter, Mackenzie, aged 13, from a previous relationship. He has opted to maintain a lower profile and spends his free time cherishing moments with his daughter. When reflecting on their friendship, Long mentioned that while they had grown apart in recent years, they still share a unique bond that stems from their life-altering experience.
As Long contemplates the enduring interest in their extraordinary story, he often marvels at how this tale from their teenage years continues to captivate audiences. With both men having charted distinct paths into adulthood, they are united by an unbreakable connection forged in survival that binds them to their youth in a way that resonates with many. Although time and life may have led them down different roads, the memories of that fateful week at sea remain a pivotal part of their shared history.