On a Saturday afternoon, I received a call from Kathie regarding a lost gold necklace. Her daughter’s boyfriend had lost a very sentimental family cross necklace while swimming in the ocean at Butler Beach.
Fortunately, I live about half a mile away and could quickly reach the location. They handled the situation well when faced with losing an item. They marked the location, used reference points, knew the tide’s status, and contacted The Ring Finders.
However, the ocean was still showing the devastating effects of the recent northeastern storm, and the full moon tide cycle made it even rougher. To say it was rough would be an understatement. Kathie’s son, daughter’s boyfriend, and I entered the water together. We stayed close to each other throughout the ordeal. We were constantly being battered and tossed by the waves like rag dolls.
After 45 minutes of battling Neptune, I finally got a good signal, only to be knocked completely off my feet. We tried to recover the signal for the next 30 minutes, but Neptune and his soul-crushing tides weren’t having any of it. The pounding was too much, and we had to suspend the search.
I informed them that I would return tomorrow a few hours before low tide, hoping the tides would have subsided and made for a safer recovery. I arrived two hours before low tide and made another attempt to retrieve the necklace. Knowing how challenging it had been the previous day, I introduced myself to a group of people nearby. I explained my situation and asked if they wouldn’t mind keeping an eye out for me.
I set up my boundary markers in the dry sand and began to grid my way into the ocean. The waves weren’t too bad, but the current was making it difficult to stay within my search lanes. After two hours of struggling to grid in the relentless ocean, I finally got a good signal. Before I was knocked off the spot, I took a mental picture of my boundary markers.
Fortunately, I managed to return to the same spot multiple times after the current displaced me from it. When I spotted a gold chain dangling over the edge of my scoop, my heart raced. I swiftly made my way out of the ocean onto the dry sand before Neptune could snatch the necklace back.
I knew Kathie and her family were attending the Patriots vs. Jaguars game in Jacksonville. I immediately texted her, “Sorry the Patriots were losing. On the brighter side!” and attached four photos of the recovered necklace.
Later that evening, I was able to reunite the necklace with its owner. These moments make what we do truly special. The emotions, gratitude, and heartfelt thanks we receive bring immense joy and happiness.
Sharing the email I received from Kathie.
We cannot say enough wonderful things about Phil from The Prospecting Mules. When my daughter’s boyfriend lost his gold chain and cross in the ocean—a chain that had been given to him by his grandfather—we were devastated. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry; it was something that carried tremendous sentimental value and memories.
We reached out to Phil, and he immediately came out to help. He spent hours searching in the ocean, getting absolutely smashed by the waves, but he never gave up. The next day, he came back and worked just as hard, determined to find something that meant so much to our family.
When he finally found the chain, there were no words to describe the feeling. We were at the Jags vs Patriots game when I got a text from Phil! It made our day! That chain and cross were a priceless piece of family history that simply could not be replaced. Phil’s dedication, perseverance, and genuine compassion throughout the entire process meant more to us than he will ever know.
Thank you, Phil, for going above and beyond, for battling those waves, and most of all, for caring enough to keep searching when you could have easily called it a day. You didn’t just find a chain—you helped return a very special memory and a piece of a grandfather to our family.
We will be forever grateful to you. What you did for us will never be forgotten. ❤️