59-Year-Old Singaporean Stranded At Sea After Countries Close Borders
Imagine going on the boat trip of a lifetime. Just you, a boat, and the open sea.
All of a sudden, a global pandemic strikes and countries enter lockdown one by one. Before you know it, you’re left bobbing alone in waters of the Pacific Ocean.
That’s the predicament one Singaporean found himself in, after countries worldwide closed their borders when the Covid-19 crisis surfaced.
While the story has a scary beginning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan shared its uplifting ending in a Facebook post on Thursday (30 Apr).
We break it down for you below.
Singaporean stranded at sea after multiple borders close
In February, a 59-year-old Singaporean set off on a 3-year boat expedition.
But within 3 months, he found himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean when the Covid-19 pandemic caused nations to enter lockdown and shut their borders.
Image for illustration purposes only
Source
Without anywhere to dock, he couldn’t replenish food supplies, or perform urgent repairs needed on his yacht.
Fiji responded to the call to save the Singaporean
To save this Singaporean, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) reached out to nations in the Pacific region for help.
And help, did the Fiji government give.
Realising that the Singaporean was unable to sail into the harbour due to strong winds and currents, Fiji’s Navy dispatched a patrol boat to help bring the yacht to shore safely.
Thanks to their efforts, the Singaporean managed to get onto dry land on the morning of 30 Apr.
He was then admitted to a Fijian hospital, where he spent 2 days under observation before being discharged, reported The Straits Times.
As the nation’s lockdown is in effect, he is unable to leave Fiji for the time being.
Thankful for Fiji’s help in saving our citizen
In his Facebook post, Dr Balakrishnan thanked Fiji’s government for their assistance in saving our Singaporean sailor.
He said,
The support from our Fijian friends for a Singaporean in need is especially heartening during these challenging times.
Likewise, the Singaporean sailor also expressed his gratitude towards all parties that aided him, from MFA to the Fijian government, reported The Straits Times.
Overcoming odds together
It is a relief to know that the sailor is safe, and also nice to see that selflessness is not a forgotten principle in these trying times.
Kudos to Fiji for exemplifying this trait.
We should learn from their example and help those around us. It might just be a simple gesture, but to others, it could make a world of difference.
Featured image adapted from Facebook.
