Monday, May 03, 2010

2nd LIFE (The Baler Capsized Boat Experience Part II)

It was probably one of the longest ten minutes of our lives as our boat captain tried unsuccessfully to revive the motor of our boat. Our boat stopped at the middle of Aniao Islets and the relentless waves keep pushing us forward to the sharp and deadly rocks of the bigger Aniao Islets. My first actual realization that we are going to be in deep trouble was when our boat was merely arms-length away from the sharp rocks and the only thing that kept our boat from crashing was a piece of bamboo pole that we used to push our boat away from the deadly rocks.

We were literally fighting it out with the elements until the first glimpse of hope arrived – a small outrigger fishing boat that can fit four people at the most. This boat passed us just few minutes ago when our boat was still running. One of the two passengers of the boat said that they had a gut feel that our boat will be in trouble because of the strong waves so they decided not to proceed to their destination and return to warn us instead. And oh so right they were, we were indeed in deep trouble when they arrived.

The first thing they have to do is to pull our boat away from the sharp rocks. They threw a rope at us and asked us to tie it to our boat. Our boat crew tied it in the boat’s bow but as they pull our boat, the rope somewhat got tangled in bamboo strake and coupled with the force of big waves, the unthinkable happened – our boat capsized.

Call it a black-out or a case of things happening to soon and too fast but we all find ourselves holding on to the capsized boat. Each of us has our own account on how we managed to hold on and find the boat after it capsized and as for me, since I was on the front part of the boat, I managed to jump just before the boat completely overturned and the boat’s bamboo strake was just in front of me as I emerged from the waters. A quick inventory of everyone showed that no one is missing – thank GOD, but the situation we where into was far from over. We have no lifevests, the water was so cold, and we were still just few feet away from the rocks. The waves offer no help as we constantly slip and slide as it pounds on us. But little by little, and literally inches by inches, the small outrigger boat somehow managed to pull our capsized boat, with us hanging on, away from the rocks.

We were on the water for almost three quarter of an hour when another fishing boat arrived. They threw another rope and we tied it in our boat and they pull our boat away from the deadly rocks for good. Then they asked us to swim to their boat and they managed to rescue four of us, the most that their boat can accommodate. Then, the first small boat accommodated two more us and off they go leaving only three crews and one of us in the capsized boat which was unfortunately – me.

Then after that, help started coming in. A large fishing boat, a speed boat and two jetski from Bantay dagat arrived at the scene. The large fishing boat threw a very large styrofoam floating device at us and I swam into it and they pull me and the other kid crew into their boat. Then, with the help of a speed boat, our capsized boat was turned-over again and that was when our bags with our cameras and phones emerged from the waters.

Since we were separated by different boats, we all got reunited a couple of hours later and we really just can’t believe that we survived that.

The Aftermath:
Victims


Drying Area


Survivor Seven


December 29, 2007 - April 17, 2010

Our heartfelt thanks to the fisherfolks of Baler and to the Bantay Dagat for helping us get through this ordeal. And thank you to our families and friends for their concerns. GOD is good.

30 comments:

  1. glad you're safe my friend.

    marami pa tayong biahe.

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  2. what a harrowing experience. thank God you're all safe.

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  3. ang mahalaga okay kayo lahat.

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  4. buti nakangiti pa kayo dun sa picture after what happened to you.

    ang tapang.

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  5. that was really a harrowing experience you had back there. but the best thing about it is probably this: you survived, and this time, you have more faith in strangers.
    those fisherfolk are heroes indeed!

    may this experience never dampen your spirits. keep on exploring.=)

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  6. Thank God indeed no one got hurt. Ang mga camerang nasira napapalitan, pero yung buhay hindi. Have a safe journey next time!

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  7. Thanks God you and your friends are safe. I salute your courage during those times. Be safe always on your future trips.

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  8. I can imagine that "holy 10 minutes" because I had an almost similar experience, but in a vehicular accident instead many years ago. Thank God, you're all safe now.

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  9. grabe. by the way you recounted your experience, i can just imagine how much fear it might have caused your group. thankfellu, you're all safe. and thanks to the nice boatmen. they are true heroes!

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  10. Wow what a scary adventure. So glad lucky seven are safe and sound. Even your cameras survived the ordeal.

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  11. i'm not a swimmer and aside from cruise ships i am terrified of going over water, so this experience you're sharing with us horrifies me.

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  12. just got back from vacation. grabeh ang nagyari. and you narrated it in detail now so I can imagine vividly how it all happened. kung ako yan baka namatay nako sa heart attack.seriously though, really thank GOD everybody was alive, at me kasama pa pala kayong isang babae no? mga bayani talaga ang mga taga Baler---I salute them for their good deed. Been to Aurora and I know how rude the waters could get there lalo't pacific opcean na ang kasunod.....and the sharp rocks of the island really made it worse....wl na bang nasave sa mga gadgets after they are being dried up?

    at any rate? mga material things lang yan...you can have better ones, but human life if another story. I am really thankful you guys are all alive and kicking.

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  13. ako di ako marunong mag swim kaya super afraid ako sa waves at sa mga bangka portion. malamang super cry na ko dito haha.

    God is really good! :)

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  14. An experience you will never forget and as the years pass, it will be a story that will be part of your adventures to be retold a thousand times. Although not as scary and life threatening as yours, I had one experience in Africa years back that really caused worry while in the midst of it. With the help of good samaritans, we found our way. An experience I treasure and will never take lightly. So yeah, have faith, don't underestimate the power of prayers and He will lead you out of harms way. Stay safe.

    And btw, I love your last photo. RIP Canon 400D. You have served Oman well! :P

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  15. I am just glad that you all came home alive. May mission pa kayo kaya di kayo kinuha ni Lord.

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  16. thank God you are all safe. what an incredible experience. It would have been much worse if rescue didn't arrive on time. Lesson - never trust those bancas !

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  17. whew, survivor 7 indeed.
    drooling ako sa mga "victims". I showed this to my kuya, saklap daw. Sabi ko dont worry may Canon50D na siya ngayon. hihi

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  18. Make sure you pray before going to a trip. Glad you guys are safe.

    http://biyahengpinoy.com/

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  19. wow really glad you guys are safe =p you stil gotta bring me around when i go to the phillipines ok? hahahhaa

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  20. finally the complete story. this may be a bad experience... a very bad one but let me say that this will can bring a better start.

    basta buhay kayo ok na.

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  21. First of all, I thank God that you and your friends are safe. That was really scary ride. If that happened to me I am sure I would panic.

    Secondly, please always take care of your trip and it sometimes pay to listen to your guts.

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  22. i am so scared reading this! i thank God you people are all safe. never mind the equipments kung nasira man. what is important is you are all alive.

    paano na kaya ako kung kasama ako dyan e hindi ako marunong lumangoy? scary, scary thought.

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  23. That's a close call! I'm glad you all survived the harrowing experience.

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  24. I'm so sorry for what happened. Glad you are all safe. Materials things can be replaced but your life is irreplaceable.

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  25. The gears you lost are a sorry loss alright but then again, these are replaceable and you are not. It's a second life for you and your companions and that is something priceless, forever to be grateful for. Ingat sa mga susunod na biyahe bai.

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  26. Such a dreadful experience for all of you... yet, it is an isnspiring story of hope, courage, at ang pagiging matulungin ng mga Pinoy... Glad all of you are safe...ingats always!

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  27. ngayong ko lang toh finally nabasa. smile pa rin kayo ah sa picture. :D

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  28. oh dear, my ultimate fear.
    I am glad you survived this. Pag nagkataon wala akong idol! haha But props to you for letting the other six be saved first! lakas maka pogi points. Pwede ba kita maging man-crush pre?! hahahahaha

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