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Bill, November 1981 - I had made my second
survey trip to west coast of Manus Island and was returning to Lorengau town on a local
copra boat. This particular boat was the only means of transportation at the time from the
west coast. It was during the "Northwest Monsoon" season and the seas were very
rough. The boat was quite overloaded with copra and passengers, some of whom were
critically ill hospital patients being moved to a larger hospital in the town. About three
kilometers out of Lessau village, the water cooling pump on the diesel engine failed,
necessitating shutting down the engine. We began drifting and rolling dangerously in the
high seas and the wind was pushing us toward a treacherous reef. I was glad that my family
was not with me, since after about 45 minutes of drifting we were within a minute or two
of being cast onto the reef. I was very concerned that it would be difficult for the
good swimmers to reach safety, and surely impossible for those ill hospital patients to do
so. Then, at the last moment, the boat's crew managed to nurse the engine to life again
with a temporary fix to the water pump. We all cheered as the boat chugged on out away
from the reef which was roaring from the waves crashing onto it. About two hours later on
the same trip, however, the pump quit again. That time we were on the north side of Manus
Island and the westerly wind was making us drift parallel to the coast. Although the boats
crew was able to make another temporary repair to the water pump, when they tried to start
the motor the battery was dead! So we drifted and rolled again in the high seas. This time
we drifted for another 12 hours! It became dark and still we drifted. Then about midnight,
the captain tried to start the engine again and it sprung to life! We finally made it to
Lorengau town and I breathed a sigh of relief and thanks to the Lord for watching over us
and for providing us with prayer partners who pray for us even though they don't know what
crisis we might be facing. |