Man who survived 20 hours in shark-infested waters makes four-word declaration – The Mirror
James Michael Grimes was enjoying a Thanksgiving cruise to Mexico when he “blacked out” and fell off the side of the Carnival Valor ship – before spending 20 hours in the water
A man miraciously survived 20 hours in shark-infested waters after falling off the side of a massive cruise ship.
While on a cruise ship, James Michael Grimes went from playing an air guitar competition to unexpectedly finding himself in the freezing waters, with no clue of how he ended up there. The 28-year-old, who confirms he wasn't drunk, incredibly survived over 20 hours adrift amidst dangerous, shark-ridden currents of the Gulf of Mexico.
He was found completely naked and teetering on the brink of death. Unbeknown to his family, who believed him to be soundly sleeping in his cabin, James was engaged in a dire battle for survival, fending off sea predators and feeding on floating bamboo sticks. He had been missing, unreported, for a whole 12 hours after tumbling into the ocean from the Carnival Valor, which was navigating its way from New Orleans to Mexico, reports the Daily Star.
Telling of his ordeal to ABC7 shortly following his miraculous rescue last year, he said: "We were just hanging out, having a good time, watching some live music, that's pretty much it." He conceded that although he had been drinking throughout the day and even snagged a complimentary beverage as a prize for his 'air guitar solo', he was sure that he was not drunk.
The last thing he remembered was telling his sister about taking a trip to the toilet before mysteriously vanishing. Subsequent to that, he has zero recollection of falling off the vessel. "I came to and when I regained consciousness, I was in the water with no boat in sight," he described.
"I can't float myself, even if I'm trying to so the Lord was with me when I was out there because something was holding me up the whole time while I was passed out." He added: "My worst fear is drowning and it was something I did not want to have to face. I wanted to see my family. I was dead set on making it out of there. I was never accepting that this is it, that this is gonna be the end of my life.
"The first thing I actually told (the rescuer) was, 'I don't have any clothes on,' because I stripped out of everything,' and he said 'that's fine.' I was just thinking, 'Thank you. You are like a guardian angel coming down for me.'" James from Alabama, USA, defied death by surviving 20 hours treading water in shark-laden seas after telling himself, "the Lord was with me."
His drive to see his loved ones again pushed him to the limits of endurance and beyond. Shunning defeat, he set his sights on a distant tanker ship, channelling "every bit of strength" to reach it. A dramatic rescue ensued as a helicopter plucked him to safety, leading to his heartfelt exchange with his saviour and a reassurance that his nudity was the least of worries.
Recalling the ordeal, James expressed gratitude for his life being spared, musing over the prophetic words of a fortune cookie note he later found that read, "Life's a beach, enjoy the waves" which underscored his triumphant fight against fate. When asked if the incident had put him off cruising, he replied: "I'd definitely be open to going on another cruise coz I really didn't get to go on this one."
The tale recently resurfaced on YouTube, where it sparked a flood of comments, with many hailing James as a "legend." One user was in awe, saying: "Only thing stronger than his will to live is his will not to admit he was wasted." Someone else quipped: "Were you drunk? " "No. But I was in an air guitar contest."
Another enthused: "Pretty sure he was wasted but regardless, 20 hours treading water!? This dude is a legend!" A comment read: "He went from air guitar champion to water survival champion in less than 48 hours. Unbelievable story nonetheless."
And one user marvelled at the ordeal, writing: "Falling off a cruise boat in the middle of the ocean for 20 hours, kicking sea creatures away to be saved by coastguard and then next morning put on a pair of jeans with a fortune cookie…that's crazy! The whole story is crazy. Glad this man was able to dig deep and fight for his life."
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