Paul Anthony Carbullido Jr. never imagined a sunset jet ski ride off the coast of Long Beach would turn into a harrowing 12-hour ordeal at sea. But on August 16, 2026, the 53-year-old found himself swept into the cold, dark waters of the Pacific, clinging to survival with little more than a life jacket and sheer determination.
It started innocently enough. According to NBC Los Angeles and other outlets, Carbullido and his roommate, Donna Durbay, decided to rent jet skis for the first time, hoping for a bit of adventure as the sun dipped below the horizon. Their inexperience quickly became apparent when a large wave slammed into them, knocking both from their watercrafts just after 7 p.m. near the Queens Gate Entrance Channel. Durbay was swept toward a break wall, while Carbullido—who could not swim—was pulled out to sea.
"He wasn’t that much of a good swimmer anyways," Durbay told KNBC. "That’s what the scariest part was. He was telling me he can’t swim that good." Despite wearing a life jacket, Carbullido was at the mercy of the currents. The darkness and his fear of sharks left him paralyzed with dread. Durbay, meanwhile, managed to get back to her own jet ski but was unable to start it. She quickly called the rental company, reporting, "My friend tipped over on his. We can’t get him in, and now it’s completely dark out, and I can’t see anything." (Daily Mail)
With no sign of Carbullido, Durbay spent an hour searching and yelling for her friend, but to no avail. Eventually, she began swimming, desperate to find help. Around 10 p.m., officials received 911 calls about two missing jet skiers, prompting a large-scale search involving the Coast Guard and Long Beach Police Department (People). About half an hour later, a Good Samaritan on a nearby boat heard Durbay's cries for help from the Long Beach Breakwater. Lifeguards rescued her and transported her to a hospital, where she was treated and released in stable condition.
Durbay later admitted to NBC Los Angeles that she feared the worst. "I left the hospital, and I came home, and I just thought he was dead. I was really, really scared."
Meanwhile, Carbullido was enduring a night that seemed endless. "I was there all night, like just, just thinking of the worst," he recounted to NBC LA. "I didn’t know which direction to go because it was real dark, you know? And I was just paddling, paddling." The cold water and isolation began to sap his strength and hope. "I was ready to give up," he admitted. "Oh, man, there was relief. I was like, if there’s a God out there, there was relief. I can’t describe it."
Authorities found two abandoned jet skis around 1:45 a.m. on August 17, but there was still no sign of Carbullido. The search teams pressed on through the night and into the morning. According to the Coast Guard, it wasn’t until approximately 10:30 a.m.—nearly 16 hours after the initial incident—that a helicopter crew spotted Carbullido floating on his back about 2.5 to 3 miles off Seal Beach Pier. He was wearing a green life jacket, raising his head and waving to the aircrew as they hovered overhead (People).
The Coast Guard quickly lowered a rescue swimmer, who hoisted the shivering, bruised man to safety. Carbullido was immediately transported to the hospital, suffering from hypothermia—his body temperature had dropped to just 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the ordeal, doctors expected him to be discharged by August 19, and by all accounts, he was on the mend (People, Daily Mail).
The entire episode underscores the vital importance of life jackets. "This incident highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket at all times when on the water," said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Caprioli, the search and rescue mission coordinator for the Los Angeles-Long Beach sector of the Coast Guard, in a statement quoted by People. "It is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself."
Carbullido’s rescue was nothing short of miraculous. He had been swept miles from shore, alone in the pitch-black waters, battered by waves, and chilled to the bone. The fact that he survived—despite not being able to swim—has left both him and those who know him amazed. "He described it as a miracle he survived as he plunged into the water with nothing but thin clothing and a life jacket," reported Daily Mail.
The Coast Guard’s search operation was extensive, involving helicopters, boats, and coordination with local police and fire departments. The search area stretched from the 200 block of Marina Drive to well beyond the breakwater, as officials raced against time and the elements to locate the missing man. Carbullido was last seen at about 7 p.m. on August 16, and it wasn’t until the following morning that he was finally found—cold, bruised, but alive (NBC Los Angeles, KNN News).
Durbay’s quick thinking and determination to raise the alarm were crucial. Her call for help set the rescue in motion, and her own rescue after five hours in the water was itself remarkable. As for Carbullido, he’s now recovering in stable condition, deeply grateful for a second chance at life. "I’m thankful to be alive," he told NBC LA.
The story has resonated with many, especially as a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of the ocean and the necessity of safety precautions. Both Carbullido and Durbay were inexperienced jet ski riders, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a fun outing can turn dangerous. For Carbullido, the life jacket was the difference between life and death.
As he regains his strength in the hospital, Carbullido’s ordeal stands as a testament to human resilience—and the lifesaving power of a well-timed rescue. For anyone venturing onto the water, his story is a clear warning: never underestimate the sea, and always wear a life jacket.