Jetski shipwrecked at sea, but alive & well now

110-kilometre sea journey from Sattahip to Hua Hin with 50 other jet skiers, turns into scary shipwreck at sea for university's rector to be.

WATER SAFETY

Jetski shipwrecked at sea, but alive & well now

20/12/2015
Chaiwat Satyaem

The rector designate of Kasetsart University, Associate Professor Bordin Rassameethes, went missing after taking part in a provincial jet ski event from Chon Buri to Hua Hin on Sunday.

The university rector joined a group of about 50 jet skiers who set off on the 110-kilometre journey from Toey Ngam, the most famous beach in Sattahip, in the morning.

All of the jet skiers made it to their destination at Supatra Hua Hin Resort in Prachuap Khiri Khan at about 1pm except the rector.

A fishing boat later found his jet ski with the engine still running about 17 nautical miles off Paknam Pran (the Pran Buri river mouth), just south of Hua Hin.

SEARCH FOR THE SHIPWRECKED RECTOR

A search at sea for the shipwrecked rector began.

Aerial and water searches were launched in the afternoon and as of 10pm had failed to locate Associate Professor Bordin.

Searches in some locations were suspended as police and rescue workers discussed plans to resume operations at first light.

TALE OF A SHIPWRECKED RECTOR

The rector had been tossed from his jet ski when it was hit by strong waves.

He then tried to swim back to the jet ski, but the water craft was swept away by waves and soon disappeared from sight.

Mr Bodin was kept afloat by his life jacket and drifted at sea into the night.

He kept looking for a fishing boat and at one time spotted a light in the distance and tried to swim to it, but could not reach it.

For the rest of the night, he saw nothing but the sky and the waves. The rough sea kept him awake.

He found a floating piece of wood and clutched it to his chest.  It felt like having a friend.

Despite the peril he was in, he still believed he would survive and that someone would eventually come to his rescue.

"I saw a helicopter hovering above. But they did not see me. I tried to do my best at the time."

FISHING BOAT APPEARS ON THE HORIZON

On Monday morning, he finally sighted a fishing boat and swam towards it.

The crew on the fishing boat saw him and he was finally pulled from the sea to safety.

"The fishing crew saved my life. They gave me something sweet and other things to eat," Mr Bodin said.

He sent his thanks to all who were concerned about him, and said he was sorry for causing them to worry.

LESSONS LEARNED

Mr Bodin said his advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position is to remain conscious and aware.

"The sea is much different from a river. We may have confidence in ourselves, but things were much different in the situation I found myself in," he added.

Mr Bodin said he would continue to go jet skiing, but would probably do it in a river first.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/800340/jet-skiing-rector-missing-near-hua-hin

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/801548/rescues-rector-tells-of-night-adrift-at-sea

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