SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) – A 13-year-old California boy is the sole survivor of a deadly boat trip he took with his father, uncle and other family members. While they were fishing for crabs, their boat capsized, sending them all into the water.

Juladi “Jude” Khammoungkhoune, 13, was eating crab at Bodega Bay with her father and four others last Saturday when she said it was “very cold and windy.” The boat capsized and threw everyone overboard. Jude, wearing a life jacket, says he went into a cooler. His father held on until his son let go so that he could reach the shore faster.

“It was pretty scary to see my dad go so soon,” Jude said.

It took the 13-year-old boy hours to reach the beach in pitch darkness.

“So I prayed to Jesus Christ and all my family members that I could survive and see my family and everyone I knew,” Jude said.

The exhausted youth slept on the shore and waited for daybreak before walking to call for help.

For days, rescuers searched for Jude’s father Prasong, his uncle Johnny, Johnny’s two teenage sons and a family friend. The body of one of Johnny’s 17-year-old sons was found.

During this time of grief and uncertainty, Jude remains positive. While he recovered from the ordeal, he was surrounded by his family at his home in San Jose.

“It was like a beautiful dream because I actually wanted to see my family again. “It’s really good to be back with my family because I’m glad to see my family and every one of my family members are supporting me on this journey without my father,” Jude said. “At least I’ll live a longer life.”

One of these family members is his aunt Shanice Khammoungkhoune.

“I focus on the kids to see what their needs are and how they can achieve that,” he said.

Family created a GoFundMe Supporting Jude, his two younger siblings, and his mother as they grieve. Jude’s father was their main source of income.

“He was a pretty funny guy. He was there for us and would do anything, especially for our family,” Jude said.

Jude, whose wall is full of his father’s fishing rods, plans to one day return to the water and continue doing what he and his father love.

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