Staying alive adrift at sea for a month
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Staying alive adrift at sea for a month
(Thanks to raw fish, coconuts and rain water)
PORT MORESBY: The eight adults and two children who spent a month
adrift at sea in a dinghy survived on raw fish, coconuts and rain water until
they were rescued on Jan 23, 2022.
Skipper Donald Nesik said their dinghy started sinking
after its engine stalled on Dec 23, 2021.
They then managed to stay alive until a South Korean
fishing vessel, Teraaka, rescued them
somewhere in the Solomon Sea.
Their miraculous story of survival was reported by The National:
Daring tale
of survival
February 2, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
By GEORGINA KOREI
THE eight adults and two children who spent a month adrift at sea in a
dinghy survived on raw fish, coconuts and rain water until they were rescued on
Jan 23.
Skipper Donald Nesik said their dinghy started sinking after its engine stalled
on Dec 23.
“We lost everything (except the coconuts on board),” he said.
“The food supply and all our belongings.”
Recalling their miraculous survival, Nesik said they removed the engine and
bailed water out to keep the dinghy afloat when their nightmare unfolded while
travelling from Namatanai to Tanga Island.
Nesik said during the 31 days out in the open sea, they only drank water in the
mornings and afternoons to save some for the next day with the hope of being
rescued.
“We collected water from the rain and stored it in a bucket and water
containers that we found drifting in the sea,” he said.
“We used fishing lines to catch the fish and left to dry in the sun to eat.”
Nesik and his passengers were rescued by crew members of a fishing vessel.
New Ireland disaster office planning director Greg Roaveneo said the 10
survivors were now in Rabaul with a relative and they would return to Tanga
once they get medical checked.
“In two days after their discharge, the survivors will be sent back home (Tanga
Island),” he added.
Rabaul customs manager Cyril Pagol said the survivors were all fine but the
children were diagnosed with malaria and were being treated.
Boat owner Justice Peter Toliken told The National that he was
relieved that all the passenger were safe.
“My wife and I are glad that the family will be heading home safely,” he said.
Solomon Islands defence adviser Lieutenant Colonel Craig A. Solomon said the
family was rescued on Jan 23 by a South Korean fishing vessel, Teraaka,
somewhere in the Solomon Sea.
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