Seven harrowing hours in the frigid Pacific Ocean seemed to have left the men unfazed.
The two seasoned commercial fisherman had hoped to get their Half Moon Bay-based boat back to Pillar Point Harbor late Friday evening, but their plans quickly changed.
 Art Wood, left, and Benny Paxton share their survival story at the American Legion in Princeton-by-the-Sea. |
Within two minutes it was clear the boat was going down, the men said. They quickly strapped on life preservers and jumped into the water. Wood became tangled in the boat's rigging and Paxton was forced to swim back to help his partner.
Although Paxton was able to radio "mayday" before they abandoned the boat, he was unable to give their location and the two were stranded in the fog, completely disoriented.
Nearly eight hours later the two washed up on Ocean Beach, exhausted but thankful to be alive.
Although the Liberty's mayday call came without coordinates the U.S. Coast Guard immediately responded, according to Petty Officer Alan Haraf. Based on the call's signal strength and the weather, the Coast Guard developed a target area and sent several small boats and a helicopter to search for the men. The search proved fruitless, however, and was suspended just after 7 p.m.
On Monday, at the American Legion post in Princeton, the two recounted their near-death experience to an audience of fellow veterans.
"The last 200 yards was the most harrowing part," Wood said. "I just couldn't swim any more, and Ocean Beach has notorious rip currents. It was just really difficult to get to shore."
Though the two had become separated as they attempted to make it to the beach, Wood found his partner and saw he was in bad shape.
"I ran up to the Great Highway to flag someone down. I was dirty and had one shoe on, people probably thought I was some mass murderer or something. But we finally got someone to call for help."
The two were taken to the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center where Paxton was treated for hypothermia and exhaustion. Wood said he refused medical treatment.
"I spent my time in Benny's room hitting on the nurses unsuccessfully," he said laughing.
Though Paxton is now a fisherman without a boat, he said he certainly wouldn't be staying out of the water.
"I'm going to get out on a friend's boat and just start saving up for a new one," he said matter-of-factly.
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