we find bodies. >> reporter: after the rescue, john didn't sigh bob hoefy again until we brought themon the dock in montauk. >> good to see you, man. good to see you. >> wow. when i approached him in the water, i told him how long we've been looking for him. >> he said holy cow, we've been looking for you for nine hours today. and i said i've been looking for you for 12. >> reporter: today they use the aldridge rescue as a teaching tool. nice when if goes right. >> nice when it all works out. kathy how are you? >> hi. >> reporter: john's sister kathy was also there when we brought the two together. >> thank you so much for saving my brother. >> you're very welcome. >> reporter: john aldridge's ordeal and miraculous outcome have turned into a new book, a movie deal and a lot of treasured souvenirs. >> this is the actual handle that snapped that anthony found on the back of the boat. >> reporter: none more treasured than those boots. they saved your life. >> these are the ones that saved my life. my life. positive thinking saved my life. ♪ my life. positive thinking saved my life. ♪ fiv