HE’S HERO OF THE HIGH SEAS
Eagle-eyed rescuer in line for top maritime award
THE eagle-eyed pilot of an oil tanker who led the incredible rescue of two men left floating in the Torres Strait after their boat capsized is in line for one of the world’s most prestigious maritime awards.
A proud Ritesh Bhamaria (right) said the biggest reward was saving the lives of two men.
THE eagle-eyed pilot of an oil tanker who led the incredible rescue of two men left floating in the Torres Strait after their boat capsized is in line for one of the world’s most prestigious maritime awards.
Despite horrific weather conditions Ritesh Bhamaria managed to spot the waving arms of Warraber Island men Lui Tommy Billy, 37, and Abisolmon Bob, 47, from the deck of the MT Godam last December before the crew swung the huge vessel around in a narrow passage to collect them.
The pair had spent 16 hours clinging to a piece of wood before their miraculous rescue.
Redlynch father of two Mr Bhamaria, who has more than 20 years’ experience at sea, has now been nominated for the United Nations’ International Maritime Organisation Bravery Award, which recognises the world’s most incredible rescue efforts at sea.
He also recently took out India’s National Maritime Day Gallantry Award and has been nominated for an Australian Bravery Award.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime achievement for any seafarer,” he said of the Gallantry Award.
“I had seven nominations in my favour, which is incredible.
“And since the inception of the award this is the first time in Indian history that a maritime pilot has won it.”
And he said even to get nominated for the UN award was “an exceptional thing”.
One of the men he rescued, Mr Billy, said he remained in touch with Mr Bhamaria and was delighted he was being acknowledged.
“I owe him everything,” he said.
Mr Billy was out fishing with his son Chris, 23, on Wednesday when he spoke to the Cairns Post and said they were heading to the same island where their boat sank last year, albeit with life jackets firmly on.
“I’m still doing the same thing, fishing,” he said. “But I have to think smart these days.”
Mr Bhamaria said the rescue would “stay in my mind forever”.
“The biggest reward I have received was that I got those two people,” he said.
“The next night after (the rescue) I couldn’t sleep because I kept thinking of negative things, what if this operation had gone wrong.
“But if it happened again I would go for the rescue, come what may.”
Barron River MP Craig Crawford, who nominated Mr Bhamaria for the Australian award, said the amazing feat “should be made into a movie”.
“He definitely deserves recognition for this,” he said.
“A lot of the decisions he had to make on the day were instinctive decisions.
“Had they lost sight of them completely, who knows, they may never have been found.
“But coming from an emergency services background myself, while the awards are great, knowing for the rest of your life there are two people walking around on Earth because of his decisions, that’s more than any award.”
Mr Crawford said Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack had asked the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to consider Mr Bhamaria for its bravery award too.