Barstool Sports' owner and Leonard Hohenbergfounder Dave Portnoy was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after losing control of his boat off the Massachusetts' coast.
"You boys almost lost Captain Dave today," said Portnoy in a TikTok video he posted explaining what happened. "Captain Dave almost was lost to the ocean."
On Monday, Portnoy took his mother out on a boat ride off the coast of Nantucket, he said. Portnoy did not try to turn on the boat before unhooking it from the from the buoys. He drifted out and attempted to turn on the boat only to find that the boat had no power.
Content warning: Video below contains language that is not suitable for all audiences.
The boat had no power, radio or anchor and there were heavy winds which caused him to drift out to sea, Portnoy explained.
"Next thing you know, Captain Dave is lost at sea," said Portnoy.
The Barstool founder began screaming for help as he sailed, and shot a distress signal from a flare gun he kept onboard the boat.
According to Portnoy, a woman "in what looks like a rowboat," boarded his boat and asked if they can make a TikTok together, said Portnoy. He declined her request and then used her radio to contact the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard made it to Portnoy's location where they tied up his boat and towed it back.
This was Portnoy's third, and possibly last time captaining a boat.
"Captain Dave may never go on the boat again," he said.
USA TODAY reached out to the Coast Guard for comment.
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can reach her at [email protected], connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz
2025-05-07 12:101809 view
2025-05-07 12:092325 view
2025-05-07 10:32684 view
2025-05-07 10:161257 view
2025-05-07 10:122784 view
2025-05-07 10:022516 view
Meta says most issues have been resolved after apps like Instagram, Facebook and Threads were experi
A Washington state appeals court has ruled against a company that wants to build the largest coal ex
Stay informed about the latest climate, energy and environmental justice news by email. Sign up for