Dave Cartee, Author at The Ring Finders

2 Lost Rings on the Beach – Found!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

I’m starting out my 8th year of doing this and my first ring of the year actually turned out to be two rings!  Tammy and her husband Andrew brought their beautiful family down from Kentucky to enjoy Perdido. They had spent the day on the beach and as it started to be time to leave, Tammy panicked when she realized her wedding band and her engagement ring were no longer on her hand. They had a general idea where they had been on the beach but she wasn’t sure where the rings were.  She quickly did some googling and found my FB page, Pensacola Ring Finders. She texted me while my wife and I were at dinner and I quickly called her back. She was in luck that my wife who is my good luck charm was up for a trip to Perdido. We got there as quickly as possible, prepared with flashlights to search into the night. After talking with Tammy and Andrew there were three areas they had played volleyball and I decided to start in the one that Tammy had described first. I made one pass and then a second. On my third turn I got a good gold sound. I’ve learned that this could be a pull tab and not to sound the alarm quite yet so I gently scooped up the first signal. I needn’t have worried and quickly saw the diamonds from the wedding band in the scoop. I called Tammy over and said, “well here’s one!” 😃  The second one was still missing so I started back searching in the same general area. It wasn’t long until I heard a strong platinum tone. This time I couldn’t help but smile and I scooped down very carefully and saw the flash of the engagement ring in the edge of the sand. I let Tammy pull it out of the scoop and celebrate with her family as she returned it to its rightful place on her hand. I love doing this. I can’t wait to see who else I will be able to help this year. See you soon. 😉

Tags:
Category:

Lost Ring throwing football – FOUND in Gulf Shores

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

I had the pleasure of helping out Joe Hess the other day. Joe and his family were down visiting Gulf Shores from their home in Indiana. Joe had been on the beach throwing football with his son when his wedding ring came flying off and quickly buried somewhere in the sand. Joe and his wife have been married 20 years so everyone began looking for it to no avail. With the tide rising in the afternoon they found me online and had me come over from Pensacola. My wife and I loaded up and quickly made our way over and met Joe on the beach. I started looking in the area he thought it was and quickly realized this was going to be a bigger search than Joe thought. My wonderful wife went to the car to get my biggest coil to cover more ground while I asked Joe more questions. Joe ended up telling me that he was using his left hand to throw the ball because his right was hurt and I worried that he may have flicked his hand awkwardly towards the water. I changed coils quickly and started a search where the water was coming in with the tide. I made one pass and as I got halfway back in the edge of the surf I heard a really deep tone. I took a huge scoop and drug it up on the sand to be safe. As soon as I broke open the sand with my hand I saw Joe’s gold band and turned around with a big smile. I’m so glad that Joe called quickly and we found it even quicker. That ring was too important to lose to that incoming tide. Congrats Joe!

Tags:
Category:

Lost ring throwing football, Orange Beach – FOUND!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

The other day I got a late message from Randi asking for help over in Orange Beach. Her husband Brayden was throwing a ball out in the Gulf and when the ball hit his left hand he watched as his wedding band dropped into the Gulf. They enlisted the help of some friends to look for an hour but didn’t have any success. When I spoke to Randi on the phone I told her that was my specialty and I’d be glad to help. That afternoon I drove over to Orange Beach and realized that it was at Romar House. They are wonderful people there and sure enough when I went inside they remembered me helping some other guests and immediately gave me a temporary parking pass. When I came back out I met Brayden and he quickly filled me in and explained that he had only been married since October. I told him that we had to find his ring and it was so new it was still shiny. 😃 When we got to the beach, Randi and several of their friends were lined up in their chairs ready to watch “the show”. I waded out with Brayden and one of his buddies waved us a bit more East. I took about 4 more steps to the East and then based on the tide charts, I took three more steps to the South and yelled over to Brayden not to move so I had a reference point. I literally went about 5 feet and heard a great tone. I got it on the first scoop and yelled over to Brayden, “It’s that easy” with a big smile. I didn’t realize that Randi was videoing but it definitely shows the excitement better than I can explain it. Thanks Brayden and Randi for trusting me. Now you have an awesome story for the rest of your long and happy marriage.

Tags:
Category:

Lost Rings in the Gulf, Orange Beach- FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

I owe Matt and Elise an apology for taking so long to post their story but I wanted to make sure that I did them in the right order because Elise’s rings ended up being the 99th and 100th official return since I started doing this. I love thinking back on all of the people I have been able to help. Matt and Elise are the perfect ones for lucky #100 because not only do they have a great story but they are wonderful people!  They have been married for 15 years and were down in Orange Beach with some friends and their family for some well deserved vacation. Elise had gone out in the Gulf with her youngest son William to throw the football when all of a sudden both of Elise’s rings came flying off with the ball. This was the first day of their vacation and it had taken an immediate turn for the worse. Elise noted where she was and came up to the beach and she and Matt immediately began looking online for someone who could help. Luckily, Matt called me and I was eager to help. I made the hour drive and brought my wife Jeannie. She has been my lucky charm and I thought it only right that she be there for the potential 100th return. When we got there Matt and Elise pointed out where they were and I quickly realized that the knee deep water was out where the sand bar drops back off into the Gulf. Nevertheless, I set a bearing on a distant condo and began my grid search. Meanwhile Jeannie talked to Matt and Elise and tried to calm their fears. She learned that they had a true love story. Matt is a farmer and back years ago he saved his money and went and bought these rings for Elise and got down on one knee. Now it had been so long that Matt didn’t even remember what the rings were made out of. I think that is a perfect example of the kind of irreplaceable things I get to find. It doesn’t matter what they are made out of or the monetary value. It’s the memories and the sentiment that make them absolutely invaluable. Meanwhile, back in the Gulf, I had my machine turned wide open so I could hear everything and I was on a mission. An hour later though, I only had one dime to show for it and everyone was getting worried. A man waded out to talk to me and explained that he was going to try and find it with his feet. I tried to be nice and explain that he was kind of hurting the situation and not helping but he was not to be deterred so I went around him. After expanding the area a bit I had Elise go over again where she thought it might be. I told her that there was no way it had rolled up the bar but if she had flung it far enough it might be a little shallower. The man had finally left after a fruitless search so I started there and proceeded to work shallower. Finally, out of nowhere, I hear the screaming sound of gold in my ears. In a millisecond, I knew that not only were these the rings, but they were together, right on top and they were almost certainly gold. I very gently scooped down deep to make sure I didn’t scratch one and pulled out both rings in one scoop, together like they were meant to be. Y’all, I can’t even explain the excitement and the disbelief and happiness that proceeded to radiate from that beach when I walked out. I hope the next 100 are every bit as meaningful!  By the way, the rings are 18k and diamonds, just as awesome as the people they belong to. Congratulations Matt and Elise and thank you for trusting me with your memories.

Tags:
Category:

2 lost rings in Orange Beach – Found!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Jordan for the first time after finding her beautiful canary diamond engagement ring and her diamond wedding band a month ago in Orange Beach. I usually have lots to say but I think in this case, I will let Jordan’s comments speak for themselves. Great advice!  Im so happy that I could help. 😃👍💍

“Ben and I had a much needed weekend getaway! The main reason for our weekend trip though was to get my wedding rings back. About a month ago, we went to the beach with our family and friends. While I was in the ocean throwing the football with Ben, the football hit my left hand and my engagement ring and wedding band went flying through the air into the ocean. We looked for it forever. We had even random people from the beach trying to help us find it, but no luck. I had seen where someone with an underwater metal detector had found someone’s engagement ring in the water so I went back to where I had lost it and saved my coordinates hoping I could find someone with an underwater metal detector. One of our friends had sent us a website called the https://theringfinders.com. That’s where I contacted Dave. He went out there 4 days after I had lost my rings and didn’t find just one ring, but both! I was so excited and Ben was in disbelief because he said there wasn’t anyway that guy was going to be able to find it 😂.  So if you are ever in my situation, save your coordinates and contact Pensacola Ring Finders”

Tags:
Category:

Lost Ring in Gulf Shores, AL – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

Bill and Sarah reached out to me earlier in July. Bill had lost his platinum wedding band in the Gulf while vacationing in Gulf Shores. I made plans to go help but unfortunately it was a terrible lightning storm and it was just not safe to go that afternoon. They had already gone back to their home in Auburn but I wasn’t giving up. I got up the next morning to beat the storms and also so I could get it done before having to be at work. The Gulf was a mess and it was all I could do to hold a line in the rough seas. They had put out the red and purple flags overnight. Luckily, I didn’t have to go far when I heard a great tone and quickly scooped up Bill’s ring before the sun even peeked over the horizon. I sent a picture and briefly spoke to Sarah on the phone. I told her that I was coming to Montgomery in a few days for work and she was thrilled because Bill’s Dad lives there. I battled some more storms on the way up which seemed only fitting but I was able to drop it into the hands of Bill’s father and smile as he checked it out. I think Bill and Sarah were a little camera shy but they sent this picture of both of their hands with Bill’s ring where it is supposed to be. They entitled it “Reunited” which I think says it all. 😃

Tags:
Category:

Lost Ring Gulf Shores, AL – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

Yesterday, I had already been in the water in Gulf Shores for hours and I was worn out.  I got into some dry clothes in the parking lot and started to head back towards my wife in Orange Beach when I looked at my phone.  When I saw that I had several missed calls from the same Arkansas number, I knew someone needed help.  Before I left the parking lot I listened to one of the voice mails and then called back Whitney who was very nice and very concerned.  She was down from Arkansas with her husband Doug and they had recently celebrated their 10th anniversary.  In fact, he had just given her a beautiful diamond wrap ring to go around her main ring as a gift and they had just had it soldered on.  So you can imagine her dismay when she was messing with a boogie board on the second sandbar and the rope quickly snatched her ring off sending it flying into the gulf. I ended up only being a few miles away and told them that I would come immediately.  When I got there, the tide was going out and they were really concerned because the sandbar was obviously moving.  They only had hours until that sand swallowed up her heavy ring and it had already been three since she lost it. Luckily Doug had acted quickly when he saw Whitney panicked in the Gulf and called out for her not to move.  He came out and got a great frame of reference off a building and even threw out a few quarters as markers.  When I got set I quickly found the quarters but unfortunately the ring was nowhere to be found.  I started to see everyone get really down as I made lap after lap but I tried to keep them positive and told them with moving sand and waves, sometimes you just have to put your time and effort in.  I had about one or two laps left until I knew Whitney would know we were out of space and I could see it in her eyes that they were resigned that they were going to lose her precious ring.  That’s when I heard that beautiful sound in my ears.  I looked up and saw that it was close to as far out as they thought but a bit west.  I couldn’t help but get my hopes up as I realized this could be it.  I very gently placed my scoop so I wouldn’t scratch it and as soon as I saw the flash of a diamond I reached down in the scoop and grabbed it letting the sand rush off in the water.  I held it up with a big smile and Doug came running first.  He held it out to Whitney and I got to watch tears of joy show just how special it was to them.  I’m so glad I could fix the first day of this trip Doug and Whitney and I wish you many more happy decades together.

Tags:
Category:

Lost Ring in the Waves! – Found!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

Yesterday afternoon I was wrapping up a nice weekend when I got a call from Marcus. He was out at Pensacola Beach and had dropped his large, solid gold class ring out in the Gulf while throwing football with his friend. This is a problem anytime but it was made bigger because Marcus said that he was between 4.5-5.5 feet deep. This is about my limit without scuba diving because it is so hard to set the scoop in deep water when you keep floating off in the current and waves. Marcus had a really good mark where he was though and seemed like a very nice guy so I decided to give it a try. My wife decided to tag along and she is always good luck. When we got there and walked out to the west side of the pier where the surfers go, we met Marcus and recapped where he thought he had dropped it. He had counted seven pilings of the pier out and had marked about 200ft west with his chairs. I had a good starting point as I waded out. I noticed that the water was just gorgeous and it was so clear I could easily see the shells on the bottom. As I made my way to the 7th piling I started to worry a bit because I was taking quite a few large swells that were well over my head. I got set and started my grid trying my best to stay online. I tweaked my machine a bit for the conditions and as soon as I put it back to the sand I heard a screaming gold tone. I knew that had to be his big gold ring and tried to set my feet to scoop it. I started to panic as I kept getting pushed off the spot and I worried I would lose the mark. As soon as I heard it again I put my scoop down and tried to push down. That didn’t work as the next wave rolled me inshore. I made my way back out and heard it again and told myself to relax. Marcus had given me great directions and this ring was so large that I knew I would find it again so I took my time. I waited for a lull in the waves and then set the tip of the scoop where I knew I wouldn’t scratch the ring. I looked up to double check that I had time between the next incoming wave. I blew all the air out of my lungs to make myself as heavy as possible and jumped up to forcefully land on the scoop driving it into the sand. I fell backwards to lift up the scoop under where I hoped Marcus’ ring would be just as the next wave put me under water again. I held on for dear life and as I came up I didn’t even need to look down into the scoop. I could see that big gold ring shining through the holes in the side. 😃👍 I left the ring in the scoop and concentrated on keeping it out of the waves as I half body surfed and half tumbled my way to shore. It had been less than 10 minutes but I was worn out. My wife gave me the “did you find it shrug” but I was scared to let go of anything until I got to about knee deep water. I finally gave them all a thumbs up and a huge smile and Marcus came running in disbelief. He pulled his ring out of the scoop and said “that’s amazing, you are the man!”  That made it all worth it. Congratulations on getting your ring back Marcus. I’m so glad I could help!

Tags:
Category:

Lost Grandfather’s Ring -FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

Last weekend, I got a text late in the evening from Samuel’s Mom asking about whether or not I could help her son.  He was out in the water at that very second searching frantically for his Grandfather’s ring that he had accidentally slung into the Gulf while skipping sand dollar pieces with his friends.  I realized that this was an important one so I gave her a call and she patched in Samuel so I could ask him some questions.  I went over some info and asked him some questions about water depth and how the ring had come off.  Most importantly, I had him drop a Google Maps pin where he was on the beach and then where he thought it might have landed.  I told him that I would reach out the next day when I got to the beach.  We got our signals a bit crossed and when I called, he was still about 45 mins away.  I told him that with his permission, I would go ahead and start searching.  I thoroughly did the area where I thought it might be and even found another ring.  Unfortunately, I knew that it wasn’t Samuel’s so I prepared to keep looking.  About that time, one of Samuel’s friends walked up and said that she thought it was a bit farther west.  I promptly relocated and began doing my grid search there.  I spent a lot of time in that area and found all kind of things that were not what I was looking for.  I spoke to Samuel’s friend again and she mentioned a sign that was a little back towards where I had been earlier.  Samuel had also mentioned the sign.  I decided to go out deeper and make that my center point.  I started heading towards the beach and about the time I did, I saw what had to be Samuel jogging across the dune trail heading my way.  Samuel’s friend told him that we hadn’t found it as he waded out.  As he was walking out to me I got another good tone.  I scooped it up and looked inside the scoop and told him that maybe he was good luck and held it out to him.  He looked in the scoop and couldn’t see because of all the shells. He said, “is there something in here?”  I told him to take another look and watched as he saw it. I love watching people go from concerned to absolutely thrilled in a split second. 😃. Congratulations Samuel!  I’m so honored that you and your Mom trusted me to go find your Grandfather’s ring for you. 👍

Tags:
Category:

Family Heirloom, lost ring Navarre – FOUND!!!

  • from Orange Beach (Alabama, United States)
Contact:

This weekend was the Blue Angels show so I assumed that Sunday morning I would have a lost ring call from Pensacola Beach.  In reality, the call came from Stefanie, just down the road in Navarre.  When I spoke to Stefanie, I immediately knew that I had to go look for this ring and when I hung up I looked over at my wife Jeannie and she said “I want to go with you”.  It’s always a good sign when my lucky charm wants to go so I started getting excited as I packed up my gear.  When we got to Navarre, we quickly parked and headed to the beach.  As we walked along on the sand, I saw a woman waving at me about 100yds away.  When we got to her she explained that her name was Nicole and she was the actual owner of the ring.  She had Stefanie call because she was too upset to talk when she lost it.  As we walked over to the rest of her family she explained that her mother received this ring 65 years ago and had left it to Nicole when she passed away 14 years earlier.  Nicole was actually raised by her Grandparents and refers to them as her mother and father. It made it even more important because her Father, who was a Police Officer passed away in the line of duty seven years ago.  This ring was a symbol of the two of them and Nicole had every intention to pass it down to her oldest daughter, Josie who was also looking on expectantly as I prepared to hit the water.  Nicole had been knocked down by a wave a few hours before and when she came up from all fours in the shallow water, her precious family heirloom was no longer on her hand.  She had a good general idea where she was but with the tide coming in quickly and the waves getting bigger every minute, she was rightly concerned.  I told her that I would grid out the entire area and that if it was there, I would find it.  It only took about fifteen minutes before I heard a very deep signal up on the shelf before the sand drops down.  I happened to be right in front of Jeannie and she quickly started videoing for prosperity.  I made one deep scoop and looked down to see the beautiful diamond ring with so much history at the bottom of the scoop.  Nicole was a short way down the beach but I motioned to her that I had it.  She came over and in disbelief pulled out the ring and gave me a huge hug.  As Josie and Stefanie came over, I got to see the smiles and happy tears and once again be reminded why I do this.  Congratulations to you all, I am glad I got to be a part of the story for such an important part of your family’s history. God Bless!

Tags:
Category: