Three fishermen from Ba, Fiji, who had gone missing at sea, were successfully rescued after a harrowing ordeal. Patrick Gerrish, Shalen Narayan, and Bisun Prasad were located by a Feeders Fiji Ltd fishing vessel 27 miles northwest of Viwa in the Yasawa Islands. Dazed but grateful, the three men were recovering from their distressing experience when they spoke to a reporter.
Mr. Gerrish recalled the despair they faced, stating, “We had lost all hope, and we hardly talked while on the boat except to pray.” Their spirits lifted when they finally spotted the fishing boat, prompting them to wave frantically, relief flooding over them after spending seven or eight days adrift with no signs of help.
The fishermen had set off from Ba to the Yasawas with only three days’ worth of supplies. During their time at sea, they survived primarily on rice and water, quickly running low on food and supplies. Mr. Gerrish expressed their gratitude towards the crew of the Feeders vessel, emphasizing how they had resorted to discarding valuable fish to keep their ice fresh for as long as possible. By the time they were found, their water supply was critically low.
The group was traveling in a 26-foot half-cabin vessel powered by a 40-horsepower Yamaha engine, which unfortunately ran into mechanical difficulties. Cama Rogo, the captain of the Feeders fishing vessel, remarked on how they initially mistook the fishermen’s gestures for an attempt to steal their catch. However, the situation quickly became clearer. He noted, “As soon as they were on board, we fed them. They were fortunate we were fishing close to shore because of bad weather.”
This incident highlights the importance of community and the life-saving efforts of local fishermen who can make significant differences in emergency situations. The fishermen’s rescue serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the dedication of those who venture into the sea, whether for work or leisure.
In a world where such harrowing situations can occur, it’s heartening to see acts of kindness and connection in times of need, reinforcing the bonds within the fishing community and illustrating the power of hope and perseverance.
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