An Olmito man shares his story after the Coast Guard rescued him and three others near the jetties in Boca Chica on Monday.
Felipe Hernandez says he feels lucky to be alive.
“The sea is amazing,” said Hernandez in Spanish. “There is, but it takes.”
A four-person crew had taken advantage of the shrimp in the past few weeks. When they drove back on Monday, they encountered dangerous high seas and a monster wave crashed against them.
“I’ve never seen a wave break three windows,” said Hernandez. “It was a huge success. I looked at the equipment and saw the wave and the water hit me.”
When water flowed through the windows, the equipment was thrown around and an emergency signal was triggered on board.
Hernandez said he could only cover his face with his arms.
“It scared me,” said Hernandez, tearing up. “After 32 years … and you see something like this, you just give up and see what happens. You never stop learning about the ocean.”
The crew fixed the broken windows and had made it to Boca Chica when they were hit again.
Hernandez said they were stuck on the rocks when the coast guard rescued them in a helicopter.
All four on board made it safely.
Hernandez, a longtime shrimper, said he was glad to be back on land with his wife and grandchildren.
