Durban marine engineer's bravery during the SS Wafra tragedy remembered

IN AN INSPIRING story, Silverglen resident John Sahadeo, recalled recently how he bravely rescued nine crew members from the SS Wafra during a tragic incident at Cape Agulhas.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

Sahadeo, now, 79, said at the time he was the first Indian ship engineer in the 1960s.

He told how he jumped into the sea at Cape Agulhas to help rescue the crew from the SS Wafra, a ship which had been carrying oil, hit a reef and caused a massive oil spill at sea, 54 years ago.

He said he and his crew managed to save nine lives on February 29, 1971.

In a recent interview, Sahadeo reminisced about his years at sea and the SS Wafra tragedy, which claimed one life.

"I was in awe of the sea and loved my job. I was in the first batch of Indians trained as a marine engineer and I was proud of the work that I did.

"On the day the SS Wafra came into difficulty at sea, our vessel was nearby and lent assistance. Our crew members and I jumped into the lifeboat and made our way to rescue the crew from the SS Wafra. The sea was rough that night. Nine of the crew members came down the ladder and were able to safely board our lifeboat, but we watched helplessly as one of them was swept off the ladder and could not be found," he added.

Sahadeo described the ship catastrophe as the most dangerous and scary experience he had experienced at sea in his almost 50-year-long career.

He said he was blessed to have had mentors who guided him during his teenage years.

Sahadeo said while other Indians were being marginalised and side-lined during apartheid, he was taken aback by the kindness and generosity that some "white people" had shown him.