Incredible Survival Story: Dad and Autistic Son Rescued at Sea

PONCE DE LEON INLET, FL (WESH-TV) -- A father and his autistic son survived a night in the waters eight miles off the coast of Volusia County after treading water for more than 12 hours.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Walter Marino, 46, and his son Chris Marino, 13, both of Winter Park, FL, went swimming Saturday night when they were caught in an outgoing current and swept out to sea. Coast Guard searchers were looking about 50 feet north of the south jetty by 11 p.m. Saturday.

The Coast Guard searched until the early Sunday morning hours and resumed searching at first light Sunday morning. "We had a lot of strong currents," U.S. Coast Guard Senior Chief Newman Cantrell said. "We've had a lot of water pushing into the inlet. So, you're going to have stronger tides going out."

Boaters aboard The Open Range located Walter Marino at about 7:30 a.m. Sunday about 8 miles east of Ponce Inlet. He was then transferred to a Coast Guard boat for transport. He was dehydrated, but OK.

"The Coast Guard rocks," Walter Marino said. God bless the Coast Guard."

A Coast Guard rescue helicopter from Air Station Clearwater then located and rescued his son about two hours later. Walter Marino said he floated and waited for help for 13 hours, and his son, who has autism, treaded water even longer at 15 hours.

Christopher Marino was taken to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona, Fla. His condition was not immediately known. As he left Halifax Medical Center, Walter Marino thanked everyone who looked for him and his son. The family said they're still in shock both father and son survived.