To him and his crew it was just another voyage to just another port. But little did they know that this journey would forever be in their memories and would form part of stories they would tell their grand kids
A Haitian GROUP with a 9-month-old baby Ashton along with many other refugees fleeing to the US crammed into the boat along with enough food for 4 days. They had sailed out for Florida which was only few days from Haiti, but somehow lost way and soon started drifting with the strong Florida Current into the vast Atlantic Ocean.It doesn't take longer to reach Florida. It had been 8 days since they boarded what they hoped was a journey to a better future. Their food ran out 4 days earlier and now with the boat overloaded and barely afloat; they needed rescuing. And when they saw this large ship pass their boat, they waved franticallyin the hope that at least this large ship will stop for them unlike the many that passed by unaware or unwilling.
On the 3rd of July, the third mate who was standing watch on the bridge saw this and informed Capt. Julka. Capt. Julkadeftly maneuvered the ship closer. He counted 22 lives onboard; 17 men, 5 women and a baby Ashton. They needed help. He knew he had to be the one providing it.
Capt. Bhuvan called the US coast guard and appraised them of the grave situation. They instructed him to provide all assistance he could. He then called the DPA Mr.Dhillon, who was manytime zones away in Singapore. He assured the Captain of his support and urged him to do the best he could to save lives.
The sun had already gone down, it was getting darker. They could just see a small mast and a single light. He mustered his crew and passed on instructions. His crew was all excited and appeared well prepared for the eventuality, as Capt. Bhuvan Julka, master of a M.T.Bochem London, an Anglo Easter Ship Management Chemical Tanker ,had recently set sail from the port of Charleston in South Carolina, USA, and was on his way to the port of New Orleans in the Mississippi river. To him and his crew it was just another voyage to just another port. But little did they know that this journey would forever be in their memories and would form part of stories they would tell their grand kids
A Haitian GROUP with a 9-month-old baby Ashton along with many other refugees fleeing to the US crammed into the boat along with enough food for 4 days. They had sailed out for Florida which was only few days from Haiti, but somehow lost way and soon started drifting with the strong Florida Current into the vast Atlantic Ocean.It doesn't take longer to reach Florida. It had been 8 days since they boarded what they hoped was a journey to a better future. Their food ran out 4 days earlier and now with the boat overloaded and barely afloat; they needed rescuing. And when they saw this large ship pass their boat, they waved franticallyin the hope that at least this large ship will stop for them unlike the many that passed by unaware or unwilling.
On the 3rd of July, the third mate who was standing watch on the bridge saw this and informed Capt. Julka. Capt. Julkadeftly maneuvered the ship closer. He counted 22 lives onboard; 17 men, 5 women and a baby Ashton. They needed help. He knew he had to be the one providing it.
Capt. Bhuvan called the US coast guard and appraised them of the grave situation. They instructed him to provide all assistance he could. He then called the DPA Mr.Dhillon, who was manytime zones away in Singapore. He assured the Captain of his support and urged him to do the best he could to save lives.
The sun had already gone down, it was getting darker. They could just see a small mast and a single light. He mustered his crew and passed on instructions. His crew was all excited and appeared well prepared for the eventuality, as if everything they had trained for and experienced so far was to save these 22 lives. They brought ropes, lines, lifebuoys, juices, milk, water, fruits, biscuits, bread and all they could get their hands on. They even got the two boxes of the famous American Doughnuts. As they rigged the pilot ladder, they had prepared the welcome.
The bosun and his men passed their lines and hauled in the boat carefully and made her fast. And just as they were beginning to embark them onboard, the boat began to capsize and in no time, it turned turtle. Capt. Julka's first thoughts were about Ashton's safety. His fears were unfounded because a young man had managed to hold onto the pilot ladder with Ashton in his arms. They all heaved a sigh of relief. Then they turned to look back at the water and they saw chaos all around. The men and women in the water were shouting for help and the crew by the ships rail were trying to reassure them. Some of them climbed onto the keel of the upturned boat. Others were clinging to it. They were holding on to the lifebuoy grab-lines in pairs. The rope holding the boat parted. The boat kept drifting away and slowly sinking but never really going down under. It defiantly refused to go down until everyone were safe. The crew onboard rushed to bring more life buoys and ladders. The crew managed to pass two more ropes that were fast to an eye on the keel. The eye on the keel seemed to have no purpose but to hold this rope.
Slowly, the scene appeared to be under control. The men and women came aboard – all 22 of them. They almost heard a collective sigh of relief.
They lay on deck exhausted, spread-eagled, breathing heavily, crying smiling, praying! Every emotion painting itself on those faces. The crew felt a sense of satisfaction and pride for having their bit.
Capt. Julka was no stranger to Ashton, to whose arms he went very easily. When Ashton's mother held him, it was a sight to behold. Tears streaming down a smiling face. Ashton was soon asleep after a full tummy!
The US coastguard was on their way and would be at the vessel at the break of dawn.
Meanwhile the men and women were made to feel as comfortable as they could be.
As the dawn broke, the USCG cutter Seneca was alongside the vessel. Two officers boarded the vessel and thanked the master and handed over a letter of appreciation from their commander for the courage and valour shone by the crew.
And the refugees, well fed and rested after many forlorn days at sea stepped on to the Seneca wearing their life jackets and their hopes intact. That was on the 4th of July! Anyone who could speak a smattering of English thanked Capt. Julka and his crew.
As the last person boarded, the Seneca gave a strong stern salute to the ship and her crew.
They were already missing Ashton!
Capt. Julka recalls many masters who influenced him. He had been part of a SAR operations very early in his career. This and the many experiences during his career had prepared him well to handle this very dangerous rescue mission which was appreciated by the USCG. To the youngsters looking up to a sea going captain, Capt. Julka says “Yes, just that we always stick to our foremost duty at sea – to assist the ones in distress and requiring help. Never hesitate, ever. Would be great if this entire article once published inspires other fellow seamen to save lives at sea as the feeling is so immense and overwhelming once you are amongst the saved lives. Nothing could be more joyful than seeing the distressed people safe.”
Migrants are risking their lives in the hope of a better future. Ships are plying round the clock across oceans carrying everything under the sun. Many of these ships are commanded by Masters who are under the pump. They have to keep times and meet laycans. There may be a CarolaRackete who defied authorities to save lives; but they are too few and in between. In such times, we salute Capt. Julka and his crew of Bochem London and their Managers – Anglo Eastern Ship management for having put the primary duty of saving lives at sea above other considerations.
There is a bigger story. There have been just too many migrants who have lost their lives yearning for a better future. They really do not need to have to experience this. They should not have to leave their lives in their own countries. They should not have to brave the Mediterranean Sea to sustain hope. The world should take notice of the increasing number of forcibly displaced people losing lives. The political response to this issue has to be louder and effective.