Cape Town - A tourist aboard the Robben Island Museum (RIM) Thandi ferry which partially sank last Friday said his experience turned sour when the skipper “fought the sea”, landing them in a two-hour rescue mission.
Visiting from Richard’s Bay, Rishi Maharaj said his family planned the trip to “force themselves away from home” after his daughter died in a car crash almost a year ago.
Maharaj, with his wife and newlywed daughter and son-in-law arrived in Cape Town last week for a short holiday.
“Once we were led out to board, we were directed to Thandi. I thought why we were not led to the bigger ferry, but just climbed in.”
Maharaj said their trip went off without a hitch but soon after boarding the boat for their return journey, he said panic ensued.
“In the first five minutes we took off, the boat was like a see-saw. We were thrown (around). We could not even grab properly onto handles or boat corners,” he said.
Maharaj said he might have felt “brave” until he saw his wife tear up next to him.
“It was within minutes my son-in-law Ryan pointed that a windscreen came out. Water started entering the boat. People were in pandemonium, screaming and crying.
“The skipper just went on fighting the rough sea instead of making a small turn back to Robben Island.”
Maharaj said the family owed their lives to the NSRI team for the successful rescue.
RIM chief executive Mava Dava said: “Due to the quick response and effective communication from all parties involved all 64 passengers and five crew members were returned safely to Cape Town.
“The consultation on Friday confirmed that the forecast for the day was not a reason for concern. However, the weather is very unpredictable.”
He added that the cause of the partial sinking of the chartered ferry was being investigated.