| | Two men in a boat … a whale … sharks |
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| | SIMON CHALKS TELLS HOW HIS ATTEMPT TO | | 45 | | trouble and no way of getting hold of our |
| | ROW THE INDIAN OCEAN BECAME A BATTLE | | | | emergency equipment. |
| | FOR SURVIVAL FOR HIM AND HIS ROWING | | | | We dived into the water a few times |
| | MATE BILL GREAVES. | | | | to get the EPIRB back. In calm water, it |
| | | | | | wouldn't have been a problem, but the |
5 | | Setting off to row across the Indian | | 50 | | boat was rolling and lifting and then |
| | Ocean should have been one of the | | | | smashing back down. A last attempt was |
| | greatest moments of my life. When we | | | | successful. The feeling of relief was |
| | left Kalbarrie, Western Australia, for our | | | | immense. I activated the EPIRB more |
| | 3,800 mile trip to Reunion Island, nearly | | | | than half an hour after we flipped over. |
10 | | 2,000 people lined the shores, cheering | | 55 | | But the first plane, which we heard at |
| | and clapping enthusiastically. But we | | | | 2am, didn't see the light and |
| | didn't know then that our attempt to | | | | disappeared, leaving us with feelings of |
| | break a 30-year-old record to cross the | | | | despair. The first signs of light took an |
| | Indian Ocean in a rowing boat would be | | | | eternity to come. Then we heard another |
15 | | nothing compared to our struggle to | | 60 | | aircraft. We waved, whistled and shouted |
| | survive. | | | | - please, just see us! Then it came back |
| | The first days at sea could not have | | | | and showed it had seen us with a dip of |
| | been better. On the third evening we | | | | its wing. Yes! On the horizon we then |
| | even saw a huge blue whale in close-up. | | | | saw a ship, which was heading for us. |
20 | | was magnificent! That night I decided | | 65 | | As the ship was approaching, we |
| | we should get some sleep at 8pm. We | | | | were continually knocked off the boat. |
| | made our boat safe and went to bed. No | | | | She was so low in the water. How much |
| | more than an hour later we were abruptly | | | | longer would she stay afloat? Then shark |
| | woken up by a loud bang. Instantly the | | | | fears grew in my mind. We were both |
25 | | boat moved sideways, then upside down. | | 70 | | bleeding badly and we'd been lucky so |
| | Our rowing boat was designed to right | | | | far with sharks. How long would that |
| | herself after capsizing, or at least that's | | | | last? It was difficult for the ship to get |
| | what we thought! We still don't know | | | | near enough. But the crew managed to |
| | what hit us, but we think it was a whale. | | | | haul us on deck. We were saved at last! |
30 | | The roof of our tiny cabin suddenly | | 75 | | Despite this adventure there will still be a |
| | became the floor. All our loose | | | | next time for me. Once was enough for |
| | belongings fell around us. I reached for a | | | | Bill, but as soon as I can get a boat |
| | torch and saw there was already an inch | | | | ready, I intend to have another go. I can |
| | of water in the cabin. Our most vital | | | | only be grateful that I am around to do it; |
35 | | piece of equipment was our Emergency | | 80 | | I will never understand why we survived |
| | Position Indicating Radio Beacon | | | | that night. Perhaps it simply wasn't our |
| | (EPIRB). We had one lifejacket, the | | | | time. |
| | other was on deck. We decided to get | | | | |
| | out. Bill leaned forward and opened the | | | | The Sunday Times |
40 | | hatch. The force of water was incredible. | | | | |
| | I took a deep breath and started to swim | | | | |
| | against the current and ended up on top | | | | |
| | of the boat. So there we were, upside | | | | |
| | down with nobody knowing we were in | | | | |