The U.S. Coast Guard reported that a life jacket, an emergency position indicating locator beacon, and a cooler likely saved a fishing boat captain during Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico.

The captain of the Capt. Dave contacted the Coast Guard on Monday after becoming disabled about 20 miles off John’s Pass.

He and a crew member were rescued by a Coast Guard boat and helicopter.

After the captain attempted repairs on Wednesday, he lost contact as Hurricane Milton approached, with worsening conditions of 30 mph winds and 6-8 foot seas.

He was later found clinging to a cooler, wearing his life jacket, about 30 miles off Longboat Key, and was taken to Tampa General Hospital, Fox 13 has reported.

Coast Guard officials praised his survival in extreme conditions, estimating he faced winds of 75-90 mph and seas of 20-25 feet.

Written by B.C. Begley