MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (31 May 2008) — In another incredible story of survival, a scuba diver was rescued about a mile offshore near St. Lucie Inlet after swimming for 22 hours. Firefighter Patrick Scartozzi, 46, is in stable condition and recovering from dehydration and sunburn at Saint Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Fellow firefighters, who said they never lost hope, praised Scartozzi's courage and determination. "He did everything right it seems," co-worker Joe Hernandez told reporters. "He was heading towards shore. He got all the power he could out of his little scooter and just kept on kicking all night long, so he never gave up." A massive air and sea search was launched on Friday afternoon after a friend with whom Scartozzi was scuba diving called for help. Coast Guard officials said a helicopter spotted the Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue lieutenant about 10 am only a mile off the Jensen Beach shore. Scartozzi told rescuers he struggled against 4 to 6 foot swells and a strong northerly current as he continued swimming in darkeness due west towards shore. "He just said there's no doubt I'm going to make it," said Fort Lauderdale Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert Simac. "Even if they don't pick me up, I'm going to swim all the way to shore. So, he never lost faith." Coast Guard officials investigating the accident said Scartozzi was swept away from his boat after a safety line failed. | 
