David Van der Sandt

Sunday, June 08, 2008

David Van der Sandt

What a nice surprise it was to have another welcome message in my guest book, this time it was from one of the Medics who helped with the rescue operation, here is the message:

Name: David van der Sandt
Date: 31-May-2008

Message:

What a pleasant surprise to come across such a comprehensive history of the sinking of the Oceanos. I was one of the SANDF medics that flew up from Port Elizabeth to assist. I still a life jacket that my medical team signed. Please forward me an e mail address so i can send you some pic's

Regards
Dave

So I got in touch with Dave and he sent me the picture below, he said he will send me another one soon.

(David) I have two pics, the first one is from a news paper in PE at the time. It is me on the right the doctor on the left and one of my medics in the middle. The guy wrapped in the blanket is the casino manager or someone that worked in the casino that was fished out of the water. What i remember about this guy is that he was very worried about us taking his jacket off. After we took it off we could not understand why it was so heavy, then we discovered his pockets were full of R 50 notes. The second one i will forward later it was published in a book called 'Choppers' a history of helicopter operations in SA. It has a whole chapter on the Oceanos rescue. I will scan it and forward to you once i am home in about a week's time

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Welcome

Hi, My name is Rose, I am one of the Survivors of the Oceanos which sank off Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast of South Africa on August the 4th, 1991. As one of the largest rescues in maritime history I was rescued by helicopter 2 hours before she sank but you can read my story here. I have created this blog in memory of the Oceanos and all who sailed on her.

If you have a story to tell, please email it to me and I will put it up on this blog. Should you wish to use any material from this blog please email me for permission. Enjoy reading!

"The boy stood on the burning deck" - Felicia Hemans (1793 - 1835)

The boy stood on the burning deck Whence all but he had fled; The flame that lit the battle's wreck Shone round him o'er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood, As born to rule the storm;A creature of heroic blood, A proud, though child-like form.

The flames rolled on–he would not go Without his Father's word; That father, faint in death below, His voice no longer heard.

He called aloud–'say, Father, say If yet my task is done?'He knew not that the chieftain lay Unconscious of his son.

'Speak, father!' once again he cried, 'If I may yet be gone!'And but the booming shots replied, And fast the flames rolled on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath, And in his waving hair,And looked from that lone post of death In still yet brave despair.

And shouted but once more aloud, 'My father! must I stay?'While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way.

They wrapt the ship in splendour wild, They caught the flag on high,And streamed above the gallant child, Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound– The boy–oh! where was he?Ask of the winds that far around With fragments strewed the sea!–

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, That well had borne their part–But the noblest thing which perished there Was that young faithful heart.