Two 16-year-old girls, Eva Aponte and Avery Bryan, survived a harrowing 16-hour ordeal at sea in March 2025 after being blown off course while paddleboarding off the coast of Cedar Key, Florida. The teens set out around 4:30 p.m. on an inflatable paddleboard, wearing only shorts and sweatshirts, without life jackets. Strong winds pushed them southeast across Waccasassa Bay toward Mangrove Point, approximately 15 miles from their starting point .
As night fell, temperatures dropped into the low 40s, and the girls faced the dangers of hypothermia and dehydration. They spent the night clinging to their paddleboard, enduring cuts from sharp oyster shells and the emotional strain of being lost at sea .
The following morning, a group of fishermen—Will Pauling, Russell Coon, and Alex Jeffries—joined the search and discovered the teens on an oyster bar near Yankeetown. The girls were too weak to stand and were immediately provided with snacks and warmth. They were then transported back to safety via airboat by Gary Bartell Jr., who had joined the rescue efforts with his 8-year-old son, Brody .
After their rescue, the girls were treated for hypothermia and dehydration at a local hospital and were later discharged. Their survival was attributed to their resilience and the life skills imparted by their families, which proved crucial in such a dire situation .
This incident highlights the importance of proper safety measures, such as wearing life jackets and checking weather conditions, when engaging in water activities. The girls’ story serves as a testament to human endurance and the impact of community efforts in rescue operations.
