Shipwreck:

Reunion Island

“It was so bad and so dark, we really thought we were going to die.” 

In February 2022, the crew Tresta Star was bunkering (taking on diesel fuel) in mid Indian Ocean when Cyclone Batsirai hit.

Counter-measures, such as reverse thrust on all engines and launching anchors, proved completely ineffectual. Their vessel was dashed onto the rocky coast of Réunion Island. 

SOS flares were fired off and they waited to be rescued, in the dark amid a rising storm surge. On shore, a rescue plan was formulated and Sailors’ Society’s CRN was called.

The CRN team contacted the 11 crew members to offer support.

Sailors’ Society’s CRN chaplain Boet van Schalkwyk said:
”It is hard to release that trauma. We try to help crew verbalise it. Much like the way built-up steam in a pressure cooker is released through the safety valve. The trauma is reduced in the process of telling, repeatedly. 

In all cases, we emphasise that what they are feeling is a normal reaction to an abnormal incident and we work closely and carefully with seafarers to get them through. In this case, it was about getting them to a place where they no longer feared for their lives.” 

As well as offering this psychological support and much-needed trauma counselling, the CRN team also helped with practical needs – arranging for the local community to provide food and clothes and liaising with the Indian Embassy and the ship’s owners to help get the men home.

The Captain of the Tresta Star said: 
“I will never forget Sailors’ Society or the Crisis Team, and I will always stay in touch because of what they did for us.”

“Thank you Sailors’ Society, for everything!”

“It was so bad and so dark, we really thought we were going to die.” 

“Sailors’ Society helped me get through that terrible ordeal. And were there when the nightmares came afterwards.”

“We ate mice and wild rats to survive. There was no hope.” 

“I tell them not to lose hope, Sailors’ Society is here for them and their families.” 

“The pirates were shouting “Where’s the Captain?” and shooting the floor. They did not know that he was already dead in the engine room. I felt desperate and terrified.”

Other CRN case studies

Imprisonment

In October 2013 the ship Seaman Guard, engaged in an anti-piracy operation, was running low on fuel. It stopped in Indian waters to refuel, unaware that the fuel was stolen.

READ MORE +

Bereavement trauma

In July 2017, the fishing vessel, the Maredon, on her maiden voyage, capsized off the Eastern Cape of Africa. The 16-man crew were terrified.

READ MORE +

False imprisonment

The CRN team were contacted in August 2022. A crew of 16 Indians, eight Sri Lankans, one Polish and one Filipino national, had been detained by Nigerian authorities, accused of attempted oil theft and faking a piracy attack. All part of a wider political dispute.

READ MORE +

Keep me up-to-date on Sailors’ Society news, events and appeals.

Reunion Island

“It was so bad and so dark, we really thought we were going to die.”

“Thank you Sailors’ Society, for everything!”

“It was so bad and so dark, we really thought we were going to die.”

“Sailors’ Society helped me get through that terrible ordeal. And were there when the nightmares came afterwards.”

“We ate mice and wild rats to survive. There was no hope.”

“I tell them not to lose hope, Sailors’ Society is here for them and their families.”

“The pirates were shouting “Where’s the Captain?” and shooting the floor. They did not know that he was already dead in the engine room. I felt desperate and terrified.”

Other CRN case studies

Imprisonment

Bereavement trauma

False imprisonment

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“It was so bad and so dark, we really thought we were going to die.” 

“It was so bad and so dark, we really thought we were going to die.” 

“We ate mice and wild rats to survive. There was no hope.” 

“I tell them not to lose hope, Sailors’ Society is here for them and their families.” 