Ocean Ordeal: Friends Survive Jet Ski Peril

On the evening of August 16th, two friends, Donna Dubray and Paul Carbullido Jr., found themselves stranded in the vast Pacific Ocean off Long Beach, California. Their jet ski outing, rented without proper instruction or safety checks, quickly turned perilous when they were separated from their watercraft. Ms. Dubray, a recovering addict who found solace in the ocean, made a desperate swim for a distant oil rig light. She endured hours of battling rough waves and exhaustion, fueled by thoughts of her daughter and her promise to find help for Mr. Carbullido. Meanwhile, Mr. Carbullido spent approximately 15 hours adrift, battling fear, hypothermia, and hallucinations. He contemplated the regrets of his past, including years of meth addiction, and prayed for a sign of hope. Their ordeal concluded with separate rescues. Ms. Dubray was found clinging to rocks at the breakwater and alerted authorities to Mr. Carbullido's situation. He was eventually located by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, dehydrated and hypothermic, approximately three miles offshore. Both friends are recovering from their traumatic experience, shaken but grateful to be alive. They express frustration with the rental vendors and themselves, reflecting on the life-threatening consequences of their impulsive decision. The incident highlights the dangers of operating jet skis at night without proper training or safety precautions.