Dry Tortuga Islands - Between Key West and Cuba Poster

When I see this photograph it looks so pleasant and relaxing. I then remember that things can change in an instant. A few moments after I shot this I became aware of a woman screaming a bit down the shore from me. I ran down to her and she pointed out to the water and cried that her husband was drowning. I took my photo gear and shoes off and swam out to him and as I got close I realized he was gasping and in a panic, and I quickly noticed how large he was, at least 300 pounds, I weighed about 180 - I reluctantly got behind him and did my best to start moving him toward shore the best I could. It helped that I had learned lifesaving as a boy but even with training, this guy was struggling and scared and also -BIG ! Luckily about half way to shore a small boat appeared. it had come from a nearby commercial fishing boat and the 2 guys aboard pulled as I pushed from the water and got the man into the boat. It's kind of funny that that's the experience the photo evokes. The seaplane in the photo is how we had travelled to the small island. The Dry Tortugas are tiny islands between Cuba and Key West. The largest island is just large enough to hold a small historic fort built during the civil war. Doctor Mudd, the man who set John Wilkes Booth's broken leg was kept at the fort for 16 years after it became a prison after the war. - So remote it had to have been an awful place to be imprisoned. As a place to visit though, it's very interesting. - Wayne Green