After 33 days at sea, men return home

AFTER 33 days drifting in the open sea, staring death every second, two fisherman and their friend who were deemed “lost at sea” returned home yesterday singing praises to the Lord and vowing not to return to sea anytime soon.

The men, Anil Ramsook, Joseph Ramkissoon, both Tobago fishermen and Andy John White, a tradesman from Sangre Grande, arrived at the Piarco International airport around 12.35 pm yesterday, aboard BW 832. They were rescued off Mexico’s coast on July 28. Greeting them on arrival at Piarco were  Mexican Ambassador Rosalba Ojeda and Carl Francis, Chief of Protocol of the Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The men were medically examined by a doctor attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being ushered into the VIP lounge, where relatives eagerly greeted them with hugs, kisses and tears of joy. White, 28, who suffered the most from the ordeal, appeared unwell and opted not to speak to the media. Instead he chatted with his brother Wendell Jones, who told reporters, he (Jones) always believed White to be alive. He said he never expected the men to drift as far away as Mexico. White is to undergo further medical tests here in Trinidad. His skin bore burn marks as did his feet, which caused him to limp slightly. Ramkissoon and Ramsook were later flown to Tobago by the TT Coast Guard. Ramkissoon, 29, spoke  of the unforgettable and traumatic experience. He  said they were happy to be home and thanked God for life. Both he and Ramsook appeared a bit frail but in good spirits.

Ramkissoon said during the 33 days adrift, in bad weather and strong currents, they prayed constantly hoping to see land or a boat which could help them. They never saw land, but  saw oil tankers and ships. Ramkissoon said no one stopped to help. He was unable to say if they were seen, but nevertheless he said it was frustrating. He said they survived on small portions of raw fish and rain water.  The rain which fell was a blessing for them, but Ramkissoon said only when they were rescued did they learn they had survived two storms. He said they talked all the time to each other and when the sun shone, they stayed naked in the pirogue, while their clothes were put to dry. Ramkissoon, who was described as a religious person by his sister-in-law, Donna Simmons, said White suffered the most, as he was not a fisherman and  he was not accustomed to the open sea and sun. He  said it was difficult to talk about their experiences, since they had given up hope on several occasions, but continued to urge  White to keep faith. The rescued men decided that if they survived they would give their lives to God. Ramkissoon’s advice for fisherfolk is  to make sure to keep on board their vessels, lots of food, water and clothes in preparation for any eventuality.

He and Ramsook, 26 of Lowlands, Tobago said they were staying away from the sea for a while but appealed to Government or anyone to give them jobs to help them continue to support their families. The men left Shallows Bay, Pigeon Point, Tobago on June 25 in a pirogue “Sea Eagle” for an eight hour trip. Their planned return at around 4 pm that day never materialised because of engine failure. Ramkissoon’s cellphone also lost power cutting his communication with relatives in Carnbee, Tobago. A search was subsequently mounted for the men. Authorities felt they were lost at sea. However last week, on July 28, members of the Mexican Army, on patrol 15 kilometres from Cayo Culebra, Quaintana Roo, off the coast of Mexico, spotted the pirogue and its occupants.  Their initial intention to carry out a routine search for arms and drugs turned into a rescue mission. Local authorities were notified and the men who at times lost consciousness, were immediately taken for medical attention. White, the most serious of the three, had to be transferred to the Medical Centre of Playa del Carmen, where he was hospitalised for a few days. Upon his recovery, the trio were kept under the charge of Dr Fernando Sada Tamez, delegate of the National Immigration Institute, who fed and clothed them until they were fully recuperated to travel home.