DESPERATE VOYAGE'
BBC Documentary
RESCUE OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
1979
Because of my 8-year experience in Vietnam, I approached World Vision International to assist with the challenge of rescuing refugees escaping Vietnam by sea. .
I was engaged as a consultant for this voyage because of maritime experience as owner and operator of a 6 tugboat and 33 barge fleet in Vietnam's Mekong delta. I took on the position of onboard Chief of Operations for subsequent rescue and assistant voyages.
Desperate Voyage
First broadcast:
Sun 16th Sep 1979, 22:30
on BBC One London
At the height of this summer's tragic exodus of 'boat people' from Vietnam, an American Christian charity (World Vision International) purchased a ship (Seasweep) to cruise the South China Sea. The ship carried food and medicine to re-supply the refugees at sea, but had undertaken not to take boat people aboard, because no neighboring country would allow them to land.
Only a few days after setting sail the charity ship encountered a refugee boat in which 93 Vietnamese had been drifting for eight days. An Everyman crew aboard the ship filmed the entire voyage, climaxing in the dramatic mid-sea rescue which saved 93 lives.
Film cameraman: DAVE GRAY
Sound: MARTYN CLIFT
Producer: CHRISTINE FOX
Editor: WILLIAM NICHOLSON
