On September 3, Livae Nanjikana and Junior Qoloni unloaded in their small, open motorboat.
Together with Junior, he was on his way from the small island of Mono on the west coast of the Solomon Islands, to the town of Noro in the New Georgia Islands 200 kilometers further south.
A few hours after leaving the quay, they were surprised by bad weather.
It would be October before they saw another human being again.
– When the storm came it was bad, but it got worse, and scary, when the GPS died, Livae says according to The Guardian.
BREAKER: Sherri Harris was out for a walk when she suddenly met a bear. Then something a little out of the ordinary happens. Video: Viralhog. Reporter: Maja Walberg Klev. view more
–
Survived on coconuts and rainwater
The waters between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea are known as a dangerous and erratic place among experienced sailors in the area.
– We could not see where we were, or where we were going, so we decided to turn off the engine and wait, to save fuel, Livae says.
The two managed to survive for almost a month on the high seas. The first nine days thanks to the fruit they brought with them.
For the next 20 days, they survived on rainwater and coconuts that floated past, the men told the state broadcaster in the Solomon Islands, SIBC.
Every time they saw a liquid coconut on the horizon, they started the outboard engine to get the much-needed food on board, they say.
According to them, the men used a small ax they had with them and the boat’s anchor to cut up the coconuts.
SSSSSSS: Australian Keith Williams put the coffee in his throat when he was visited by an uninvited guest. Video: Keith Williams / Storyblocks / Youtube view more
–
Rescued by fisherman in canoe
– After several days, we got the idea to build a sail. So we made a kind of mast and sails and sailed in the direction of the wind, they say.
After 29 days, they had driven about 400 kilometers. The hunt for coconuts had filled his stomach, but emptied the engine of most of the fuel.
Then they finally saw signs of life on the horizon. A fisherman in a canoe became the friends’ lifeguard.
With the little fuel they had left, the men started the engine and set course for the fisherman. Before they arrived, the gas tank was empty.
– That was when we shouted and waved feverishly with the hands of the fisherman saw us and paddled towards us, the two men remember.
– When he reached us, we asked: Where are we now? And he answered, Papua New Guinea. Oh, now we are safe, Nanjikana describes the relief that flowed through the emaciated body.
The fisherman towed the boat with the two ashore. Totally exhausted, Junior and Livae were carried to a nearby house.
– We did not know where we were, but we did not expect to be in a country, says Livae.
Welcome pandemic break
Despite the fact that the boat trip ended as a battle for life, Livae brings with her positive things after the drama at sea.
Among other things, that they became a welcome break from the global corona pandemic.
– I had no idea what was going on when I was out there. I heard nothing about covid or other things. I look forward to coming home, but it was a lovely break from it all.
