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Harrison OkeneShip's cook who survived the shipwreck
Country:
 Nigeria |
Content:
- Biography of Harrison Okene
- Haunting Nightmares
- From Ship's Cook to Shore Chef
- The Ordeal
- Facing Darkness and Desperation
- A Promise to God
Biography of Harrison Okene
A Brush with DeathHarrison Okene, a ship's cook, experienced a terrifying ordeal when the vessel he was working on sank. As the tugboat went under, Okene, who was in the bathroom at the time, quickly realized the magnitude of the disaster. He rushed to the engine room and found a small air pocket, where he managed to survive for three days in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean until he was rescued by a passing ship.
Haunting Nightmares
Okene admits that nightmares still haunt him to this day. Sometimes, he wakes up in the middle of the night, frightening his wife. He believes that their bed is sinking. Additionally, Okene was unable to attend the funerals of his fellow crew members, as he feared the superstitions of the Nigerian people who questioned how he alone survived the tragedy.
From Ship's Cook to Shore Chef
Today, 35-year-old Harrison Okene works as a chef on shore and has no intentions of returning to a life at sea. The incident has made him wary of tempting fate a second time. Okene's story became a sensation after he managed to survive for three days in a capsized vessel, becoming the sole survivor among the 12 crew members. While some Nigerians believe black magic played a role in his survival, Okene considers himself simply lucky.
The Ordeal
On May 26, 2013, the ship Okene was working on suddenly sank, approximately 20 kilometers off the coast of Nigeria. Okene heard his crewmates scream as the vessel tilted and objects toppled over. Panic ensued on the tugboat as it rapidly sank. Acting quickly, Okene made his way to the engine room, where he found a small air pocket. He had a bottle of Coca-Cola, a life jacket, and a flashlight. At that moment, he had no idea how long he would have to stay hidden.
Facing Darkness and Desperation
As time passed, Okene realized that he was the only survivor. He was surrounded by darkness, and the flashlight quickly ran out of battery. The air supply was diminishing, the Coca-Cola was running out, and Okene wondered if the engine room would become his final resting place. After about 60 hours in the water, with hope fading, Okene heard new sounds – the rescuers had arrived. South African divers discovered him and, mistaking him for a corpse at first, were startled to find him alive.
A Promise to God
Once Okene was rescued and underwent medical examination and procedures, he was released to return home. He became the sole survivor of the shipwreck. Okene's wife reveals that he still suffers from nightmares, reliving the tragic day when the tugboat sank and their home is filled with screams. Okene made a solemn pact with God during his time in the cold water and darkness – if he was saved, he would never approach the sea again. True to his word, Okene transitioned from being a ship's cook to working as a chef on land, with no desire to venture out to sea ever again.
