In a remarkable display of international solidarity, a Chinese cargo ship crew rescued five Brazilian nationals and a Dutch tourist after their fishing vessel sank off the coast of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The six individuals had been adrift at sea for several days.
The harrowing ordeal began for businessman Marcelo Bellas Silva Novo and his companions on March 4th, when they set sail from Itajaí, southeastern Brazil, en route to Rio Grande do Norte. Their journey, spanning 2,700 kilometers along the Brazilian coast, took a disastrous turn on March 15th when a violent storm struck, causing significant damage to their vessel's hull.
"It was like being born again," recounted Novo, describing the moment of their rescue. "It felt like God gave us another chance." Novo, along with four Brazilian crew members and a Dutch friend who had been in Brazil since the Rio Carnival, faced five days of relentless struggle to pump water from their sinking ship. "We couldn't reach the Brazilian Navy or any other vessels. We were desperate," he said.
With their boat's sole emergency light half-submerged, the six men made the difficult decision to abandon ship and board their life rafts. "In the early hours of Saturday, we spotted a distant light and began signaling with our raft's emergency lights. The Chinese captain saw our signals and approached to rescue us," Novo explained, adding that the Dutch tourist communicated their situation to the Chinese crew in English.
The Rescue Operation
The Liberian-flagged cargo ship, Amis Unicorn, manned by a crew from China, had received a distress call and promptly responded to the castaways' plight. The Chinese crew, employed by Wuhan Xinyusheng Crew Management Co., Ltd., sought and received authorization from their ship's owner via satellite phone to conduct the rescue operation.
Navigating in complete darkness, the Amis Unicorn approached within 15 meters of the distressed vessel and successfully deployed a rescue cable to bring the Brazilians and the Dutchman aboard. "They gave us food and drink and took care of us throughout the week. It's something I'll never forget," Novo expressed upon their arrival at the port of Santos. "We will cherish this friendship with the Chinese crew for the rest of our lives. I am deeply grateful because they saved all of our lives."
The Captain's Perspective
Huang Yongchao, the 43-year-old captain of the Amis Unicorn, described his immediate reaction upon spotting the castaways: "My instinct was to save them, regardless of their nationality. I believe anyone would have done the same in that situation." He also mentioned that they were able to contact the rescued individuals' families via satellite phone, hearing their emotional relief. "At that moment, I realized we had done something truly significant. If we hadn't arrived in time, many lives could have been lost, along with the happiness of their families," the captain acknowledged.
"We must always extend a helping hand to those in need. My wish is for everyone who works at sea to return home safe and sound," Yongchao concluded.
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