Volunteers turn tide for stranded sailors

By Peng Yining (China Daily) Updated: 2016-06-07 08:17

A diver (right) exchanges information with a colleague after an underwater search for survivors of Dongfangzhixing (The Eastern Star), which capsized on the Yangtze River in June last year. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"Volunteers are playing an increasingly important role in maritime rescue," he said.

According to Yin, the official search and rescue force is designed for large-scale missions in deep waters or rough seas. He used the center's rescue boat as an example, saying it has a draft of at least 5 meters, which means smaller fishing boats can provide help more promptly in shallow waters.

Even during large-scale missions, volunteers cooperate with the official forces because their boats are usually smaller and more maneuverable, which makes it easier to reach people in the water. In addition, compared with local fishing boats, the coast guard and other official vessels take longer to reach stranded boats.

"In the ocean, time is life," Yin said, adding that people can survive for one day when the water temperature is around 10 C, but when the temperature falls to zero, life expectancy is only about two hours.

Tang Wenlong, a 30-year-old fisherman from Shandong province, said the memory of waiting on a sinking boat still makes his flesh creep four years later.

"The water crept up to my waist, neck and chin; even before it had reached my nose, I couldn't breathe," he said. "We started to talk about our last wishes, in case any of us survived. Many spoke about their children. One man tucked a few 100 yuan ($15) bills into his underwear, saying his family would at least have some money if his body was recovered. I was thinking about my elderly parents, regretting I hadn't spent enough time with them."

Tang and his crewmates were saved by a nearby fishing boat that responded to their distress signal.

"I can't describe the happiness I felt when I saw them coming for us," he said. "I knew they would help. I would do the same for other people, too."

Repaying a debt

After being rescued by a local volunteer team, Lin Shaoguang, a fisherman from Guangdong province, decided to join them.

"The engine on our boat exploded and killed the helmsman, who was also my friend. We were tossed up and down in rough waves 10 nautical miles offshore. It was getting dark. The wind was blowing stronger and stronger. I was thinking about my 1-year-old daughter all the time I was making the SOS call," the 35-year-old said. "The volunteers in our village arrived in less than half an hour. We were shivering in the cold wind, and one of the volunteers put his coat on my back. I can't tell you how grateful I was at that moment."

Lin said the team displayed great courage because the windy conditions produced 40-meter-high waves that made it dangerous to sail at speed, especially as visibility was poor.

"They risked their lives to save ours," he said. "I wanted to pay them back."