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Photos: John “Capt. Jay” Burki ran aground over 10 years ago in Gulfport

As Tropical Storm Debby pounced on Gulfport in 2012, John “Capt. Jay” Burki, then 66, found himself stranded in his sailboat just offshore. A group of locals waded into the water and, eventually, pushed Burki's sailboat back into deeper water.
Published March 8
John “Capt. Jay” Burki walks away from his boat, Promise, which was beached by Tropical Storm Debby on Gulfport Beach in 2012. "I never dreamed we would have five days of 40 and 50-mile-an-hour winds non-stop."
John “Capt. Jay” Burki walks away from his boat, Promise, which was beached by Tropical Storm Debby on Gulfport Beach in 2012. "I never dreamed we would have five days of 40 and 50-mile-an-hour winds non-stop."  Times (2012) 
Steve Smith, far left, leads the push as a group of people attempt to free John “Capt. Jay” Burki's boat.
Steve Smith, far left, leads the push as a group of people attempt to free John “Capt. Jay” Burki's boat.  Times (2012) 
Mina Angjellari helps take up the slack as a group attempts to free John “Capt. Jay” Burki's beached boat.
Mina Angjellari helps take up the slack as a group attempts to free John “Capt. Jay” Burki's beached boat.  Times (2012) 
In 2012, John “Capt. Jay” Burki talks about his boat, which was beached by Tropical Storm Debby.
In 2012, John “Capt. Jay” Burki talks about his boat, which was beached by Tropical Storm Debby.  Times (2012) 
Curt Anderson celebrates after he and a group of people successfully freed John “Capt. Jay” Burki's boat off the shore of Gulfport.
Curt Anderson celebrates after he and a group of people successfully freed John “Capt. Jay” Burki's boat off the shore of Gulfport.  Times (2012) 
John “Capt. Jay” Burki talks to Dreamer, his deaf bulldog, as he enjoys a glass of pinot grigio in an RV he made his home in Lealman. "As long as I'm in this motor home I'm going to get old really fast," the captain says. Then and now, the captain longs for the sea.
John “Capt. Jay” Burki talks to Dreamer, his deaf bulldog, as he enjoys a glass of pinot grigio in an RV he made his home in Lealman. "As long as I'm in this motor home I'm going to get old really fast," the captain says. Then and now, the captain longs for the sea.  Times (2013) 
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