Pilot saves couple with boogie board

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A neighbor says an Air Force Pilot is responsible for saving a couple stranded after their boat caught on fire July 20.

The couple were in a 25-foot recreational boat when the engine sparked flames, according to a spokesman from the Virginia Marine Resource Commission. It happened Friday night in the Chesapeake Bay, near the old Wythe section of Hampton.

"Out of nowhere, the cover that covers the engine of the boat busted off with an extremely loud boom and flew into the middle of the boat," said Richard Massengill, who was on board.

In the viewer video, you can hear Massengill and his girlfriend Laura Clark calling for help. The two had time to call 911 but did not have time to grab life jackets below deck.

For 20 minutes they swam in the Chesapeake Bay, wondering when help would arrive, or if it ever would.

A kayaker saw the two boaters jump into the water. Thanks to quick thinking, the kayaker threw a boogie board out to them. The board kept them afloat until help arrived five minutes later.

"He was really clear to us when he got close," said Clark. "[He said] there's a boogie board on the back please don't grab the boat."

The boogie board kept them afloat until a police boat arrived. The couple wants to tell the kayaker how grateful they are, except they didn't get his name.

"He wouldn't tell me his name, he just said 'You're welcome,' and just left," said Massengill. "But I really want to thank him and I still got his boogie board."

10 On Your Side spoke to the owner of the kayak who said his neighbor, an Air Force pilot, used his kayak that evening.

"He served in Afghanistan and Iraq, so he's up to [saving people]," kayak owner John Krulis said.

WAVY.com passed on the pilot's contact information so Massengill can thank him.

"There is nothing I can do to repay him but [I've got] to show some type of gratitude," Massengill said.

The VMRC spokesperson says the fire was accidental.