Two longtime friends were rescued after spending nearly 15 hours stranded in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Long Beach, California, following a water scooter outing that turned perilous on the evening of August 16.

Donna Dubray, 47, and Paul Carbullido Jr., 53, had rented personal watercraft for a spontaneous ride shortly before sunset. Neither had prior experience operating jet skis. After locating a vendor named Airbnski, they secured a 7 to 8 p.m. rental slot, despite a California law prohibiting the operation of motorized watercraft after dark. They arrived at the dock about 15 minutes early and received minimal instructions from the rental operators, who briefly handed over a Yamaha WaveRunner VX Cruiser and a Sea-Doo GTI SE without explaining safety procedures or operational details.

The two initially enjoyed their excursion near the Queen Mary attraction, until Carbullido was thrown from his watercraft after crossing the breakwater into rougher waters. He was unable to climb back aboard, and his scooter drifted away. Dubray attempted to assist but lost control of her own vehicle and her phone when she jumped into the water to help him. She then swam toward a distant light she spotted, later identified as an oil rig, while Carbullido remained struggling alone in the dark ocean currents.

Throughout the night, Dubray battled exhaustion and injuries as she reached the breakwater and was eventually rescued around 10:30 p.m. by Long Beach lifeguards responding to a call from a bystander on a nearby powerboat. She was treated and urged rescuers to continue searching for Carbullido. Meanwhile, Carbullido endured hypothermia, physical fatigue, and frightening encounters with marine life while drifting and swimming in the swell. He recalled calling out for help, grappling with waves, and confronting his own mortality as he awaited rescue.

The U.S. Coast Guard located and airlifted Carbullido approximately three miles offshore early the next morning. He was found in a critical but stable condition with a core temperature near 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities credited his survival in part to the warm water temperature and use of a life jacket, while acknowledging his strong will to live.

The incident has raised questions about the safety practices of personal watercraft rental vendors. Airbnski, the company that facilitated the rental, reportedly operates without a storefront or local license and did not provide comprehensive safety guidance. The vendor’s representative said he sent search parties for Dubray but did not notify emergency services, stating that was not his responsibility. California law requires watercraft operators to have a boater card after passing a safety exam, but renters are often exempt.

Dubray and Carbullido, both employees at the Port of Los Angeles, expressed frustration with their inexperience and the limited instructions given. They also noted the criticism they have faced for attempting an activity unfamiliar to them. Both have struggled with trauma and uncertainty since their ordeal, with Carbullido turning to church and Dubray focusing on work to coexist with their experiences.

Authorities have not assigned financial responsibility for the search-and-rescue operation, which involved multiple agencies throughout the night. Safety experts emphasize the importance of proper training and adherence to regulations, especially regarding nighttime use of water scooters, which generally lack lights and are not designed for open water conditions after dark.

The harrowing rescue highlights the risks posed by unregulated rentals and the volatile conditions of coastal waters, underscoring calls for increased oversight and education to prevent similar incidents in the future.