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Wellington Harbour's waters shimmered in the sun today, a vivid contrast to the murderous seas the Wahine faced 40 years ago today.
The survivors, rescuers and families of the victims from the disaster which claimed 51 lives that day noted the different weather as they struggled at commemoration functions to cope with contrasting emotions as well.
"It's good memories and bad memories really," said Paul Dean, a waiter aboard the interisland ferry when it crunched into rocks at Barrett Reef at the entrance to the harbour, and later capsized in winds over 220kmh.
"You always think of the ones who didn't survive and how lucky you were to make it," he told NZPA at a memorial service at Churchill Park in Seatoun, where two lifeboats full of survivors landed.
Mr Dean recalled chaos on board the vessel when it hit the rocks and seeing some horrific injuries. There was relief when the passengers were told the Wahine would be towed into the harbour and then desperation again when a tow rope from a tug snapped ``like a piece of cotton.'
The order to abandon ship followed soon after he was involved in helping people into liferafts, finally getting into one himself after flailing in the water for about 20 minutes.
Despite the sad emotions and memories of children screaming, Mr Dean said it was amazing today to meet so many people who had been on board as he reminisced with former colleagues Fraser Thomas and Frank Hitchens.
Lesley Morgan of Lower Hutt and Joanne Finlayson, of Tauranga, could not be missed at the Seatoun commemoration as they hugged tightly. Two generations separate them, with Mrs Morgan now 91, but they have forged a special bond over the years.
Both were on board the Wahine. Ms Finlayson was just a baby when her mother Lyn Brittain, pregnant and unable to swim, entrusted her to the care of a stranger.
Brian Papesch floated on his back with Joanne on his chest for an hour. Eventually they reached a lifeboat and Joanne was handed to Mrs Morgan. Back on shore, Joanne remained unclaimed for many hours before being reunited late at night with her mother.
Mrs Morgan and Ms Finlayson met each other 15 years ago and keep in close contact. "She is really very special to me," a sprightly and beaming Mrs Morgan said.
Mr Papesch, from the Bay of Islands, joined them today. He only recently met mother-of-two Ms Finlayson for the first time since the disaster.
A new link to the chain at Seatoun's Wahine memorial was unveiled at the service, attended by about 400, as blessings were given and memories shared.
Earlier a plaque was unveiled at Frank Kitts Park on the Wellington waterfront, dedicated to the rescuers. That was followed by private wreath-laying service at the Museum of Wellington, which has a permanent display about the Wahine.
A memorial Mass was held at St Mary of the Angels, while a bus trip for survivors this afternoon wound its way to Pencarrow Heads, on the other side of the harbour to Seatoun.
One lifeboat landed on the Pencarrow coast and another nearby at Eastbourne. In all 683 people were rescued.
- NZPA
