Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy rescued by Coast Guard after boat goes adrift off Nantucket amid heavy winds

Dave Portnoy detailed the ordeal he faced in an Instagram video, thanking the Coast Guard for assisting him back to safety
UPDATED JUL 16, 2024
Dave Portnoy had to call for help after he found himself stranded at sea off of Nantucket Harbor (Getty Images)
Dave Portnoy had to call for help after he found himself stranded at sea off of Nantucket Harbor (Getty Images)

NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS: Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy revealed on Monday, July 15 that he was rescued by the Nantucket Coast Guard after becoming stranded at sea.

"Captain Dave almost was lost to the ocean," said the businessman in an Instagram post, in which he thanked the Coast Guard for saving his life. 


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente)


 

Dave Portnoy was stranded at sea after boat lost power

"No power, no radio, no anchor, no nothing; heavy, heavy winds," said Dave Portnoy in the Instagram video, adding, "Next thing you know, Captain Dave is lost at sea." 

He had intended to take his mother out for a boat ride but discovered that his boat's engine and breakers were unresponsive after pulling it away from its mooring.

As a result, the 47-year-old found himself unable to steer the boat, which began drifting aimlessly on the sea.

Compounding his situation, Portnoy also said he lacked a functional radio for communication.

In the video, he mentioned that he had launched a distress flare before a woman noticed his calls for help and boarded his boat.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 01:   Dave Portnoy attends Tiesto Performs At Bootsy Bellows x E11EVEN M
Dave Portnoy was stranded at sea after his boat, which lacked power, broke free of its mooring (Getty Images)

Portnoy recounted that the woman even suggested filming a TikTok video together to which he replied "No, no time for TikToks," before she promptly contacted the Coast Guard. 

Soon after, "four burly dudes," as the Barstool Sports founder described them, arrived to assist and towed his boat back to safety.

"Captain Dave had to be halfway to f*****g the Carribean," remarked Portnoy. 

A spokesperson of the Coast Guard confirmed the rescue in a statement to Boston.com.

They shared, "Sector Southern New England received a report from US Coast Guard Station Brant Point of an approximately 28′ pleasure craft belonging to Dave Portnoy that broke free of its mooring in Nantucket Harbor and was drifting through the area." 

Dave Portnoy hailed Donald Trump's 'bada**' reaction following assassination attempt

Before Dave Portnoy became stranded at sea, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to say "bada**" Donald Trump could easily win the election shortly after the Pennsylvania rally assassination attempt.

A gunman fired multiple shots at the former president while he was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. 

In his post, the Barstool Sports founder wrote, "I just landed and missed an assignation (sic) attempt. Holy s***. What a bad a** reaction from Trump. The election is over. He's the next president. The Dems should give up. They can't beat him now. Also can we quit with the hate on both sides. This country is ripping apart. Let the voters decide. Just cause you vote on 1 side or the other doesn't make you satan."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The post Khloe Kardashian liked featured Charlie Kirk speaking with a fan at an event about his devout Christian faith
Sep 13, 2025
Whitney Cummings sparked widespread outrage after posting a controversial tweet about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk
Sep 13, 2025
Prince Harry was spotted entering King Charles’s London residence, months after saying his father had ignored his calls
Sep 11, 2025
Rosie O'Donnell said Ellen DeGeneres’ friendship denial hurt so much she printed T-shirts for her staff reading, 'I don’t know Rosie, we’re not friends'
Sep 10, 2025
A post alleged that Karoline Leavitt called Patti LaBelle 'just a singer,' leading LaBelle to deliver a seven-word response that froze the studio
Sep 10, 2025
Jennifer Lopez feels free channeling emotions into music, but Ben Affleck is embarrassed and sees it as crossing a line, according to the source
Sep 9, 2025
Howard Stern added that he missed last week’s show due to illness, not contract talks, and addressed rumors of being fired from his own show
Sep 9, 2025
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement in August 2025 triggered a wave of pregnancy chatter after an ultrasound photo went viral
Sep 9, 2025
Ed Sheeran, 34, revealed that he was leaving Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters, Lyra and Jupiter
Sep 9, 2025
From Ice Spice’s chaotic corset to Paris Hilton’s flame dress, see the celebs who landed on the worst-dressed list at the 2025 VMAs
Sep 8, 2025