Fisherman saved from burning trawler

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 37

Fisherman saved from burning trawler

PA Napier As he clung to a burning boat in Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday night, fisherman Garry Clark thought he had just half an hour to live. On Wednesday, his rescuer, a Napier fishing identity, Jens Jenssen, was a reluctant hero after a daring rescue in choppy seas. Four Napier crew of the Silver Dawn were plucked from the water in 50-knot winds after their boat burst into flames and later sank 800 m northeast of the Port of Napier breakwater about 12.30 a.m. They were the skipper, Desmond Marfell, aged 54, his son, Maui, aged 13, Peter Jackson, aged 30, and Mr Clark, aged 26. They were taken to Napier Hospital and treated for minor burns, smoke inhalation and exposure. Desmond Marfell, most seriously hurt of the four,

was in a satisfactory condition in hospital. The others were sent home. An exhausted and still shaken Mr Clark was full of praise for his rescuers as he told the story of his ordeal. “If it weren’t for Mr Jenssen I might not be here now,” he said.

The 16m Silver Dawn was returning home with a small catch when a fire was noticed in a corner of the engine room. The crew emptied three fire extinguishers on to the blaze and used an onboard pump to try to douse the fire, but the engine cut out and the pump stopped. They set off a flare and abandoned ship, but strong winds blew the liferaft back into the fire. “The fumes and heat were incredible so we jumped into the water,” Mr Clark said. “The skipper was great — he cduran’t have done better.”

Mr Clark held on to the boat while the others drifted. Maui Marfell was the only one wearing a lifejacket, although there were other jackets aboard.

“Hanging on to the boat was sapping my strength,” he said. “I wouldn’t have lasted. I reckon I had another half hour left. But then Jens Jenssen and the Sea Raider steamed out of the darkness.” Mr Jenssen had docked around 11 p.m., watched a TV movie aboard the Raider and had just stepped outside when he saw the flare. “I don’t feel I’m a hero,” he said. “It was pretty hard to find them, but I’d expect someone else would do the same for me.”

Grant Taylor, of Fletcher Fishing, Ltd, the Silver Dawn’s owner, saw it differently. “Jens needs;- a big medal.” he said.