At the young age of 21, I found myself amidst the mighty sea on a big merchant vessel with all alien faces. Though trained for the worst scenarios, my initial few days at sea took a toll on me. "A smooth sea never makes a skilled sailor" - the words of my my mentor Captain Banerjee always echoed in my mind. Unusual working hours, disconnect from the world ,harsh weather conditions were few of the elements that added to the misery.
" But you really wanted to be a Merchant Naval officer! What is stopping you now from enjoying it" that's how the mail from my father use to end after hearing my agony.
Somehow I kept myself going. God had another thing in store for me as we got a distress call from a sinking boat. Around hundred people were drowning in the middle of the sea. While being en route to the distress location, the senior officer had assigned different duties to all the crew members in order to avoid confusion and indecisiveness during the rescue operation. We, the crewmembers were initially a bit scared, (anyone would be when about hundred unknown people board your vessel) as we thought that these people might be a threat to our safety. However, our senior Officer sensed our anxiety and did a commendable job of easing out our fears by explaining us the gravity of the situation and reminding us of our duty as seafarers to help anyone distressed at sea. In no time, we started assisting the refugees in climbing from the gangway.
The migrants looked starved and dehydrated and they indeed were very hungry and thirsty. We immediately started serving them water and food and kept them occupied. The majority of the people were from Somalia and none of them understood English.
They were a mixed crowd of men, women, small children, pregnant woman and sick old people. They were crying and wailing. What was more disturbing was the sight of two dead bodies floating around (the deceased must have been a family member or friend of someone still onboard that dingy boat – their trauma is just unimaginable). We saw tears in the eyes of many people as they were still trying they were still trying to sink in the fact that their lives had been saved. It was nothing less than a miracle for them as they had lost all hopes of survival.
Next day, we bid adieu to them at Italy where the Red Cross Society was there to pick them up. While disembarking the ship, we could see that all of them had happiness and hope in their eyes for the new life that was about to get unfold. I realised the strength of teamwork and the ability of the team to handle any unprecedented situation by following orders and discipline. I realised that nothing is impossible if one has will to do it.
#ABG #ABGWOOME #ABGWOOMESEASON2 @LifeAtSIBMB #SIBMB
