Fisherman Escapes Abusive Crew, Rescued After Three Days at Sea

A fisherman who escaped from his murderous crewmates by jumping overboard was rescued after spending three days in the water. The Indonesian maritime authorities dispatched a patrol ship to meet the merchant ship Sikinos, which had found and rescued the fisherman floating with a lifejacket on. The survivor, identified as Afif Efendy, 37, revealed that he had jumped from the fishing vessel KM Putri Ayu after enduring abuse and threats from older crew members during his 17-day voyage.

Efendy shared that he was mistreated, beaten, and threatened by the crew on the fishing vessel, leading to his decision to jump overboard to escape the escalating threats. He recounted being forced to work long hours without breaks and facing threats of violence from some crew members who eventually pushed him to jump into the sea on the 17th day of the voyage. Despite the risks, Efendy chose to wear a life jacket and take his chances at survival in the open sea.

After floating for three days, Efendy was discovered by the Sikinos, which then handed him over to the patrol boat P 349 for his safe return to shore in East Kalimantan. The authorities conducted a medical evaluation on Efendy upon his rescue to ensure his well-being after his harrowing ordeal at sea. The fisherman’s courageous escape from his dangerous crewmates and subsequent rescue highlight the dangers faced by workers in the maritime industry.

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