How long were Troy Driscoll and Josh Long lost at sea?

Troy Driscoll and Josh Long were lost at sea for seven days in April 2005.

What did the two teenagers eat while stranded at sea?

While stranded, the teenagers ate jellyfish and collected dew from the boat deck to survive.

Where were the boys found after being lost at sea?

The boys were found 111 miles off the coast of Cape Fear by fishermen.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Stranded Survivors: Teens Eat Jellyfish, Found 111 Miles Out

Stranded Survivors: Teens Eat Jellyfish, Found 111 Miles Out

6 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Two teenage friends were lost at sea for seven days.
They survived by eating jellyfish and licking dew from the boat deck.
Fishermen found them 111 miles off the coast, adrift and dehydrated.

In April 2005, 15-year-old Troy Driscoll and 17-year-old Josh Long embarked on a fishing trip off the coast of North Charleston, South Carolina, that turned into a terrifying ordeal. Within minutes of setting out, a powerful riptide pulled their boat far offshore, leaving them stranded without communication or emergency supplies. As days turned into a week, their parents initiated a desperate Coast Guard search, which eventually shifted to a recovery mission.

Facing extreme conditions, the boys endured thirst by licking dew from the boat and hunger by consuming jellyfish, a desperate measure to survive. They battled dehydration, hypothermia at night, and the terrifying presence of sharks. Hallucinations set in as their bodies weakened. "I was so hungry I ate a jellyfish and waited overnight to see if it would kill me," Troy recalled, highlighting the extreme measures taken.