Tom Robinson, a 24-year-old Australian rower, experienced a harrowing ordeal after a rogue wave capsized his boat, leaving him stranded in the ocean for over 12 hours.
Naked, freezing, and clinging onto his overturned vessel, Tom held on to his faith, firmly believing that help would come. And it did, in the form of an Australian cruise ship, which diverted over 120 miles to rescue him. His journey from South America to Brisbane was interrupted, but his spirit and faith remained unshaken.
Tom Robinson embarked on a challenging solo journey across the Pacific Ocean, aspiring to be the youngest person to accomplish this feat. His adventure took a drastic turn when a rogue wave hit, flipping his boat and leaving him in a precarious situation. Tom, preferring to row naked to prevent chafing, found himself exposed to the elements, battling the cold and turbulent sea.
Despite the perilous conditions, Tom did not let despair take over. He sent out a distress signal and tethered himself to the boat, ready to endure and hold on for dear life. “I was holding on for dear life,” Tom recounted. The cold was biting, and waves constantly broke over him, but his faith did not waver. “I had the utmost faith that help would arrive,” he said.
Tom’s prayers were answered when the Pacific Explorer, a cruise ship, responded to his distress signal. The ship’s crew and captain went above and beyond, sailing over 120 miles off their course to rescue him. “Many, many thanks to P&O for everything they have done for me,” Tom expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the crew who played a pivotal role in his rescue.
Passengers aboard the cruise ship witnessed the incredible rescue. Jason Ballantyne, a guest on the ship, described the scene as “quite surreal,” highlighting the rarity and awe of such a moment.
Tom returned to Brisbane and reunited with his family. They were overjoyed and relieved to have him back safe and sound. His mother shared, “Thursday night was a very stressful night for us, but when we got the phone call on Friday morning … and we heard his voice, and he was safe, well we were just so elated.”