Capitan Milan Grbić: How we saved Cuban fisherman who started losing hope that they will ever be found

Crew of the TNG's tanker "VINJERAC" under the command of Capt. Milan Grbic, rescued five extremely exhausted and wounded Cuban fisherman between Cuba and Panama on 8th of February 2016. The fishermen aged 27-35 years, previously...

Crew of the TNG's tanker "VINJERAC" under the command of Capt. Milan Grbic, rescued five extremely exhausted and wounded Cuban fisherman between Cuba and Panama on 8th of February 2016. The fishermen aged 27-35 years, previously floated for four days on overturned eightmeter speedboat. One of the rescued fishermen unfortunately died onboard Vinjerac on the third day after the rescue. His colleagues shared the fact that he previously had a heart condition, and that he couldn't endure the thirst so he drank sea water. In effort to save his life he was given an infusion according to instructions received from the Mediko Rijeka medical services. While sailing towards Las Minas in Panama, Vinjerac reported the authorities about the poor health condition of the rescued fisherman.

- Several members of the crew were working on the deck, and one of them who was located on the crane, saw people in the water couple of hundred meters from the boat. They immediately informed me about it, so we slowed down and informed our Company that we are about to change the direction in order to help the people in trouble, and we were immediately told to proceed with the rescue. It took us about half an hour until we came close to them, fired a rope and them pulled them onboard our vessel. There were five of them aged 27 to 35 years. We found them holding for dear life on the capsized boat, which was still partly floating. They were exhausted, hungry and thirsty. They told us that they went fishing and encountered a large wave which capsized their boat. The strong current carried them away even further from the coast, some 300 miles. They floated for four days and nights, and they said that a number of different ships passed by but that no one had approached them for help. The first day they still had a working lamp so they sent out light signals, but without success. By the time we saw them on the horizon, they have completely lost hope that they will get out alive. Fortunately, we came along.

For this exceptional deed, the crew of mt Vinjerac was awarded with the fifty-second Blue Ribbon of Vjesnik, the award that honors the brave seafarers.

Back