Dave Portnoy rescued by Coast Guard after almost 'lost at sea'

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was almost “lost in the ocean” and needed the US Coast Guard to rescue him.

In a TikTok video detailing the harrowing ordeal, Portnoy told his nearly 4 million followers that he had brought his mother aboard his 28-foot boat that he launched from a dock in Massachusetts. It was only after he unhooked the boat that he realized there was no power.

“Your boys almost lost Captain Dave today,” he said in the video. “Captain Dave was almost lost in the ocean, mother ocean.”

“He unhooked it from the buoys, started the engine… dead. Breaker is dead. Captain Dave, for the third time, was wrong… Captain Dave unhooked from the buoy before starting the boat to make sure the ship wasn't dead,” he explained.

“No power, no radio, no anchor, nothing. High winds, heavy. Next thing you know, Captain Dave is lost at sea.

@barstoolsports We almost lost @Dave Portnoy ♬ Original Sound – Barstool Sports

He tried to navigate the harbor without power and called for help, but still drifted. Even firing a flare gun didn't bring him the emergency help he needed.

Luckily, a woman sailing nearby noticed him and boarded the boat.

“She gets on Captain Dave's boat. She said, 'Can I make a TikTok of you?' I said, 'There's no time for TikToks,'” Portnoy said.

He radioed for help and the USCG came to the rescue.

“Southern New England Sector received a report from US Coast Guard Station Brant Point that a 28-foot recreational boat belonging to the director and founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, broke free from the its mooring at the port, according to officials.” FOX 25 Boston reported “Station Brant Point, which was conducting a training exercise at the time, diverted and towed the vessel to its mooring.”

A spokesman for the US Coast Guard's First District noted, “We are glad he used distress signals and applaud the Good Samaritan for having a VHF radio ready to hail the Coast Guard.”

“Captain Dave lives to tell another tale. Third time as captain [and] already lost at sea It's a dangerous game. The sea is angry, my friends,” said Portnoy.

“Captain Dave may never return to the ship,” he added.

Portnoy thanked the Coast Guard for its help.

“Welcome, Dave,” Boston Coast Guard District 1 answered to X, with a message for his dog. “Tell Miss Peaches we said hello and remember to be safe!”

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida, where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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