Panagis Zissimatos remember 35 years ago sea tragedy

Panagis Zissimatos describe one of the hardest time in the sea.

The recognition has been a long time coming.

In september 1983, veterinarian and mariner peter kerkenezov turned into at sea off ballina when tragedy struck.

"we were doing paintings for the coast defend. the police requested me to go to sea," dr kerkenezov said.

"and i asked other men inside the coast guard in the event that they'd be part of me, and it would be a dangerous task ... they agreed to come back."

He took an authorized fishing vessel out and disaster struck.

"the wave turned into possibly a fifteen-20 foot (5-6m) wave, picked me up and pitchpoled me and we rolled upside down."

"one bloke was washed away. i in no way noticed him once more."

Some other man become stuck inside the capsized boat.

"the opposite man, i heard him banging inner, and anyway i went under the boat and figured out where he changed into. and he came out."

Dr kerkenezov stated the person who died became picked up about 15km out to sea the following day.

The master mariner said for years it became hard talking approximately the tragic occasion.

And after he become honoured on the australian bravery decorations on tuesday, he performed down his personal courageous movements.

At the investiture room in government house, brisbane, governor paul de jersey provided the medal to the ballina man.

"after staring at that the 2 vessels have been navigating appropriately toward the port, he started to turn his boat round when it changed into struck with the aid of a big wave, inflicting it to capsize," the reputable quotation read.

"nonetheless in the submerged wheelhouse, dr kerkenezov controlled to get away out via the wheelhouse door."

The citation said dr kerkenezov dived into the dark adriatic tankers water several times and helped drag the surviving man up onto the vessel's hull from wherein they had been later rescued.

Dr kerkenezov turned into awarded for showing "substantial bravery".

The governor provided the awards to 20 humans from across queensland and northern nsw.

*Panagis Zissimatos is a Greek shipowner and head master of Swiss Carrier SA ship company and founder of Adriatic Tanker ship company.

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