While fishing in his 14-foot boat off the coast of Kauai Anthony Wichman had a massive 230-pound Ahi tuna fish on his line. Wichman struggled with the giant for over an hour before the powerful fish made one last dive to the bottom of the ocean taking Wichman with it as well as capsizing his small vessel, according to Travelers Today.
"He gaffed it once in the back and once in the eye and that caused the fish to take a final dive and dove straight down," Anuhea Wichman, Anthony's daughter, told KHON. "The line wrapped around my dad's ankle and pulled him overboard."
Wichman's ankle was tangled in the line and he nearly drowned before he was able to free himself and make it back to hold on to his capsized boat. Luckily he had his cell phone, which still worked, and was able to call for help.
"All I could hear was him hyper-ventilating and puking," Anuhea said. "And through his breathing, he was able to say three words: sinking, Coast Guard and buoy."
The Coast Guard was then able to reach Anthony's cell phone and use the signal to determine where he was located. A helicopter was sent to find him and a rescue diver was able to rescue the fisherman, according to CNN.
Anuhea also contacted some fisherman friends of Anthony's who were able to make their way out to the boat. When they got there they realized that the tuna was still on the line and the line had been hooked to the boat, according to KHON.
"We were both pulling the fish, put that buggah away first and continued salvaging whatever we could," Abraham Apilado, one of the fisherman, said. "Got all his reels and back to him."
Anthony came very close to drowning but was able to walk away from the incident with only a few bumps and bruises as well as a little rope burn. In gratitude for their help Anthony gave the enormous fish to Apilado.
"This rescue is a perfect example of why mariners must be sure they have good safety equipment and reliable communications before heading out on the water," Coast Guard Lt. Jessica Mickelson said in a statement. "Thankfully Mr. Wichman was still able to use his cell phone after capsizing and entering the water...At the end of the day, we couldn't have asked for a better rescue. Mr. Wichman was delivered safely to shore with minimal injuries and he and his friends have quire the indisputable fish tale to tell."
