Rescued man fulfils promise

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 46

Rescued man fulfils promise

PA Auckland A grateful seaman, happy to be alive yesterday, got his chance at the week-end to fulfil a vow he made many months ago. Nine months ago a Napier fisherman, Mr Bob Hackett, and his crew of four men were drifting helplessly in a liferaft off the New South Wales coast.

The four New Zealanders and one Australian were placed at the whims of the Tasman Sea when their fishing trawler capsized in a storm.

After seven days, their food supplies and spirits dwindling, they were sighted by a helicopter from the Royal Australian Navy flagship H.M.A.S. Stalwart.

For the next two days the five seamen received the best of the ship’s hospitality. Mr Hackett, on leaving the ship in Brisbane, vowed he would some day show the crew his gratitude.

He got his chance at the week-end when H.M.A.S. Stalwart berthed at Princes Wharf in Auckland.

Mr Hackett and his wife, Sue, boarded the ship to present a plaque

of appreciation to officers and crew.

The plaque, emblazoned with the phrase "An appreciation from the survivors of F.V. Lochlein,” was signed by the four New Zealand crew members.

"I owe this ship a great deal,” Mr Hackett said. “When we saw the ship we were down to our last flare and everything hinged on them seeing us. The ship made it a fairytale ending.” Mr Hackett said the hospitality extended to the five by the Stalwart was overwhelming. Once they were given medical check-ups and clearances by the ship’s doctor they then virtually had the freedom of the ship.

“There is a natural bond among seamen. Every seafarer will look after any other seafarer, but the way they looked after us was unreal,” he said.

When Mr Hackett and his crew left the ship they were given a bottle of port.

“We thought we really should have been giving them something instead. I thought there and then I will give them something if I ever get the chance.”