Almost dead

Mid nineties, we were fishing by Papua New Guinea in international waters .For few days fishing was good on foomer and then will turn around and work on Palo (log or driftwood); We were collecting all driftwood we can and setting radio buoys so we can find them in the evening. Some of them were promising with fish around, others will tow closer and tight together in rafts. On that way will al the bait from plankton to small fish gather and attract bigger ones that will stay and attract on the end of food chain tuna or their cousin skip jack.
In last couple of days we catch almost three hundred tons of mix mostly yellow fin and skippys. Today we mark one log and after whole day of search for foomer we were on the way back to it. Crew tired of hot sun, no wind, three sets on miserable schools of tuna, was resting in the galley watching videos and waiting to be called to hook up the log and set submersible light till morning. About eleven o’clock bridge called to stand by with grappling hook. Ship slow's down and drifted along side large drift wood cowered with barnacles. Deck boss throw the hook and guys brought buoys quickly on the deck. Radio was turned off, flash light also, and log set on long rope to drift by the ship. On the davit pulley was set drop light some twenty feet deep and turned on. Dark, almost black water of night Pacific turned green and whole new world open to us. Sharks, mahi mahi, yellow tails, sea snakes, small almost dark brown fish (excellent for BBQ) feed on the sea growth. Small crabs crawl all over the log, on sonar deep down was almost black red indicating to large school must be under the ship. It was known to with first down fish will come to the surface and when light is transferred to the pangita- small skiff, fisherman was able to make set and catch the fish. Only problem was- sometime was more yellow tails than what we were after, meaning lots of cleaning and separating as we don’t get paid for yellow tails. Crew run in the bed as bell will ring at three thirty in the morning. Last walk through engine room and pipe alley, check the levels and oil as well as temperatures in fish holds with fish, I was a sleep before I hit the pillow.
What seems to me just few minutes after man at night watch woke me up. I make cup of coffee and walk the outside bridge on wing station to check if any fish is visible. With coffee cup in hands I walk in to the bridge and check sonar, it was crowded. My estimate about three hundred tons if not better. Skipper just woke up and checks sonar making happy face. Navigator was outside smoking his first of the day.
Crew was awakened without the bell and word spread fast about sonar findings. Pangero- small skiff man was making all ready to be lowered in the water from stern starboard davits. I started hydraulics and heavy pangita was soon bobbing in the water .Turbo charged Yanmar pushed pangita around stern and pangero-little skiff man drop his submersible light in the water. For few minutes both lights were making light under the surface, than ship lights were turned off, not only submersible but all outside lights except navigational lights. Main engine s running already, sheep slowly moved away. Big benefit of variable pitch prop was to at slow speed almost no wash was made.
Skipper climbed in the crows nest: “Stand by”
Now was waiting game for last track of night and first track of down on the east. That was the time when was best to make a set. Skipper always must think about currents especially when in straits as today. No land was near but ocean currents split waters in three some times four layers, that they call today thermo clines. If not careful sometime stronger bottom currents will twist the net so bad to will make big round timber like pail what we call roll up. That was sure way for Port and week of work on net yard in Casamar.
“Let it go- mola, mola, mola”
Skiff on the stern pull end of the net and one more set started. Rings of purse seine net were up with sun, and crew was stocking net on stern in nice organized way. Chain and ring men were stocking rings, Cork man with his assistant on the cork. Navigator on the Puretich-Power block adjusting the speed as needed and coordinating with skiff about what way to pull the stern. Best thing was when net was coming in at Ninety degrees at port side. Rings didn’t dangerously fly, net was free of the prop and rudder. Now and then some yellow tails will come over, showering crew on net pail with meat, guts and blood. Jelly fish was abundant in this waters and was no surprise to somebody will cuss or yell and run under the fire hose, to wash him self of. If it was Portugese Man of war, some people will fall in shock. Majority will spray necks, faces and arms with WD40 or diesel that seems to help.
Almost at last third of the net more and more yellow tails were coming to the power block. Soon net was green and yellow with them. Net crew will tear them out from mesh, preventing the net to get dirty and stinky. That will make problems if school was in the net tomorrow; spoiled rotten fish of today has possibility to spoil tomorrow catch. Last section of the net was called bunch. Thicker and thicker mesh was going through power block and more and more calls:
“Watch out, skip in power block, middle forward”
“Watch out, tuna in power block, close the net, there, this one coming to you”
People will attempt to close net and make slide of the mesh landing large fish in front of them. But sometime was hanging by the gills and flipping over the power block thirty forty feet above un hook it self and free fall head first. In that case crew will scramble for position away, but it was hard to decide where as ship was rolling under swells and pull of power block.
“Watch out fall!”
Crew scramble, it was close this time, worst position was on front toward the deck as not much space was left to move. Net was rolled in on good pace and all was right when…
“Watch out fall”
One large Big eye tuna has been hooked up just by gills and on the way over power block get loose and start its free fall. Crew scramble, man on the corner by the chain didn’t have no more space to go and try to slide on to the deck when fish with open mouth hit him in the shoulder. Both have fallen on the deck. He shakes violently and tries to get up; eyes were wide open shoving just white, then he collapsed.
From the crows nest Skipper bellowed on PA:
“What are you guys waiting for, get back on the net roll, roll, hey you on the deck, get up and back on the net this is not a Hilton in Guam to take rest.”
Deck boss approached man lying on the deck and try to move him. In that moment blood start oozing through ripped rain jacket. Deck boss run to PA and scream:
“He is open, bleeding, It has cut him open, and I need help!”
I have heard on PA and run up with Assistant from wet deck, Skipper broke all records in getting down from crows nest.
“Navigator, get the winch men on power block, Chief you and Assistant help me to take him in galley. Navigator get medical box will need a lot. Rest of you get on the net; get it in as fast as you can.”
We took the man in the galley on the table. Cut rain jacket, cut T shirt, blood all over. Breathing was laboring and hard. Cook was standing on the side paralyzed by scene.
“Get water boilin, a lot, will have to wash all this tuna vomit from the wound.”
Cook still didn’t move Skipper swing around and flop one with open palm over cook’s face that get him moving. On the deck power block was pulling in with full force. Power block stop and deck boss start making the bunch or sack.
On PA:” About 150 tons mix”
Assistant run on wet deck and start conveyer belt, shut was set already and fish pour down. In heart bit all was in holds, net stocked on net pail, skiff lifted, and main engines running.
Skipper and I were washing wound from ingredients of stomach of fallen tuna. Man was laying un conscious breathing was hard and laborious. Now was full size of the wound clearly visible. Lover jaw of the tuna has find soft spot between neck and shoulder, snap open collar bone and rip him open half way down of the rib cage. His lungs was visible, broken ribs were protruding from ripped off flesh; tiny clear membrane was all protecting his lung and heart from exposure. We look at each other, used on light wounds such as rip of fingers, cuts on hands and legs, shark bites it was normal, but this is huge, ominous wound, we knew to even surgeon will have hard job to put this tighter.
“Navigator get on the radio and call Australia, they closest one ask for medical advice, also get under way and set course for Rabaul,they closest one with hospital. I want to know ETA. Transmit that to Rabaul and Australians. Keep calling until somebody answer, I need to know what to do.”
Navigator run up to the bridge, both mains were running at maximum RPM’s, Bridge radio was connected with PA and whole crew was able to hear frantic calls going out every five minutes.
In Galley man on the table was coming and loosing consciousness, interestingly didn’t bleed as profusely as on beginning. Cut flesh was almost blue, brownish lungs were still pumping air, and heart was contracting rapidly. Skipper has never had any medical education, mine was just from military service, but brother of mine has studied medicine and some of his studies must get in to me. Now we have to do something and I took the charge.
“Skipper, if we want to give him a chance we have to isolate wound and sterilize and then close it best we can.”
“What we can do, what we can do?”
“Ok, will flush wound with watered down scotch so not to make burns and flesh to die. All this yellow powder Sulfa whatever, will pour in the wound and on the edges of the wound. I need all clear kitchen wrap you can find, bring duct tape as many as we have, trash bags, and bed sheets of linen if possible. Make sure to linen is clean and run it on high in the dryer. Get to it we don’t have time.”
Water was boiling already in all big pots; crew of duty was standing by for what ewer we might need. With care we washed wound off all impurities, dried it as much as possible. we diluted scotch wit water and washed again. We used all hydrogen peroxide and iodine. From now on when we change dressing only booze will be at hand. Clear wrap was stretched over his inner cavity. We than push his rib cage as close as we can. Problem was broken ribs were protruding every where, and was possible to make more damage forcing it together, but we didn’t have choice. Some how we succeeded in closing him up. Linen was ripped in bandages while we put another clear kitchen wrap over the wound outside. Than we wrapped him up best we can with linen. Wounded man was moaning and groaning at each move. Over linen we wrapped him with trash bags and with duct tape stick all this together. Now all what was left wait and pray.
We clean kitchen as much as possible, people brought mattress and carefully transfer him on. They slide him in the side under one of short dinner tables, cover him with blankets. One man will always be with him and alert on any changes.
Skipper went on the bridge; I check engine room and fish temperatures in holds. Both EMD GM’s twelve cylinder engines were screaming under full load. All ok and I went on the bridge.
Ship now at auto pilot, one man on night watch, Navigator was plotting position and course to Rabaul. Deck boss maintaining radio calling out to whom ewer listen.
Finally Radio Australia from Port of Darwin answered.
“Radio Australia, Radio Australia, this is fishing vessel WYZ 325689, this is fishing vessel WYZ 325689, we need medical help, and we need medical help now , Ower!"
“This is radio Australia, Darwin; This is Radio Australia Darwin, what is your problem, repeat, what is your problem?”
Deck boss explained situation and give ours position as well as course.
“Fishing vessel WYZ325689, stand by will get doctor to talk to you, maintain your course.”
Time was ticking awfully slowly for us waiting answer. After some time radio crackled again:
“Fishing vessel, we have contacted Royal Australian Navy and hospital in Darwin. Please stand by.”
Again agonizing long wait. Minutes turned in centuries.
“Fishing vessel, this is Dr. Mike Richardson I am surgeon in Darwin’s hospital, please explain situation”
Skipper gives microphone to me.
“Doctor, tuna with open jaw has ripped open through collar bone, rib cage open. No profuse bleeding, Lungs and heart appear in OK condition, we wash out all tuna vomit using diluted scotch, insert kitchen clear wrap after this yellow powder Sulfa whatever , clear wrap again , linen bandages , trash bags over , keeping him warm and without much moving , please your advice?”
On the other side was silence. We look at each other???
“Fishing vessel do I understand right, you have man with open rib cage on board?”
“That is affirmative Sir, please give instructions!”
Again silence on the other side.
“Fishing vessel, this is Australian Royal Navy we listening at your frequency, our surgeon is here, Doctor here talk to them, ok I am dr. Stephanopoulos in situation you are in you did all right. Make sure to he don’t bleed and from time to time let him drink some red wine, not white, red. Do not feed him any hard food, don’t give him anything what produce gases, honey will be ok. Keep him warm and will be back to you.”
Radio Darwin called again:” Fishing vessel, This is Radio Darwin, we have no vessels we know about in your vicinity, we keep calling, please stay away from this frequency and listen for our calls, use your other radio and frequency of your choice and try to call on your own. Also use your EPIRB to send signal, world maritime organization will soon contact you and all ships close to you, we have talk to already”
Whole night we worked radios, calling, but it was as we are alone on the whole world. We were outside shipping lines, no traffic, nothing of military interest; even chards were last updated in late 1800ts.
Ether was empty, stars were peacefully blinking, moon shining, ocean was calm as giving us a break.
She was sailing at full speed in unknown future. Morning come all too early for tired people. We check wounded in galley, he has come through and was conscious. We explain him what was going on, all he wanted is to we call his home and tell them what happen.
Skipper gets on the radio phone and after while he was talking to his mother.
“Fishing vessel, this is Royal Australian Navy, we have no vessels in vicinity, no merchant vessels in your area, and your best is to maintain your course. We have one supply ship with surgeon and helicopter on other side of Papua New Guinea, they ordered to change course in your direction, also Papua New Guinea Navy is alerted on your situation, make sure you lay your fishing gear down , you cant be ready for fishing in territorial waters. You have five days to Rabaul from your present position, if you and our supply ship maintain speed; ETA shall be three days from now. Keep us posted on temperature of wounded, change his dressings, use honey if you have no other means to sterilize wound. God speed and calm seas, we all pray for you”
“Fishing vessel this is Radio Darwin, maintains radio watch, send us hourly patient situation, will have doctor stand by for you, God speed and God bless”
Ship was churning water, she was making speed as new, and crew was kind of silent, standing watch in engine and on the bridge. First day. Second day. Wounded temperature was steady and that was only good news. Wound was clean and didn’t look infected.
Third day in the morning, crew was on all binoculars from mast to the bridge. About eleven in the morning radio cracked and broke silence:
“Fishing vessel, this is Royal Australian Navy supply ship, we see you on radar, please continue in same direction, we sending helicopter to you to pick wounded up. See you soon”
In half hour Australian helicopter was buzzing us and Skipper sends our Bell 47 in the air. But Australian was too big to land on us.
“Fishing vessel, this is Royal Australian Navy helicopter, we can’t land on you, will send down man and basket, have wounded ready for to be transferred in the basket.”
Man was already on the way down, hanging precariously on the cable, pilot maintained speed and elevation, and then he was there, quick hand shake and wounded was strapped in basket and on the way up. Australian was next with wounded man documents.
Still sailing in same course, we were waiting on radio call.
After a while:” Fishing vessel, this is Australian supply ship surgeon, your man is alive only thanks to what you have done, I think this is first time in medical records to such material was used in procedure, but I will sure give that to R A Navy surgeon general, Will keep you posted at any changes. We changing our course now for Darwin, long range helicopter will be stand by , weather permitting to pick us up at least day from shore and speed up arrival in hospital. Good day Gentleman and well done.”
“This is fishing vessel, thanks Royal Australian Navy, and God bless you.”
Wounded was treated in Darwin’s hospital, after three months was flown home. For all this time he was being paid his share of catch, and crew was working one man short for all this time. Six months more and fully recovered he was flown back and met the ship in Guam.