cut and paste Geelong News
I SURVIVED FREAK WAVE
SURVIVOR: Joel Nuabora recovers in Geelong Hospital yesterday after surviving a freak wave that struck his ship near Queenscliff.
Tuesday, August 17
Christine Antoniou
UNDER water and praying for his life, Joel Nuabora thought the freak wave which had killed his friend was going to kill him, too.
Mr Nuabora and two shipmates were on the Aotearoa Chief's deck as it left the Port Phillip Heads off Queenscliff around 6pm on Saturday when the wave hit.
The 32-year-old from Papua New Guinea does not remember how he survived being tossed around the ship or how he even breathed.
Now in Geelong Hospital recovering from a leg operation the memory of seeing his dead friend for the last time lying next to him is clear.
And even clearer is the sinking feeling he had that there was no doubt he too would die.
``I only said one thing while I was under the water ``God my life is in your hands'','' Mr Nuabora said.
Mr Nuabora was at the bow of the ship trying to secure an anchor when the massive wave hit deck.
``I was covered with water and the wave pushed me and I bounced against a wall, that's how I hurt my leg,'' he said.
``The wave was about four metres high - I've been on the sea for 14 years and I've never seen anything like it, the deck was full of water.''
A world away Mr Nuabora's pregnant wife Dorcas and their two children found out about the accident in a Papua New Guinea newspaper.
``She just cried, she didn't say much,'' he said.
``It was good to hear her voice and tell her I am O.K.
``I only got on to her yesterday, I tried to call her on Sunday but I couldn't get through.''
The massive wave and squalling winds, up to 60 knot, almost pushed Mr Nuabora overboard but grabbing onto a rail while underwater saved his life.
``I could hear someone screaming calling out to my friend who died but there was no answer,'' he said.
``I kept holding on to the rail and the water pushed me down some steps.
``I had to drag myself under a container where it was a bit drier because I couldn't walk, I just lay there and called for help.
``I already knew my friend was dead, I knew when I heard no answer.''
Brought back to safety Mr Nuabora lay next to his dead friend.
``I went unconscious for a while and then I saw him on a stretcher and they told me your friend is dead.''
Mr Nuabora said he was ``dropping his tears'' when he fully realised he was not going to see his friend again.
After an operation to a cut from below his knee to his ankle Mr Nuabora is regaining his strength and looking forward to going home in a few days.
Reverend Noah Park from the Mission to Seafarers visited Mr Nuabora yesterday and said he had improved dramatically since Sunday.
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