Sailor tells: A big crash ... then a light

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Swedish solo yachtsman Alf Jaselius says he had planned to spend last Saturday night keeping a careful eye on passing ships as he neared New Zealand's North Cape.

But just after 10pm, he went below to listen to his VHF radio and consult maps.

That was when an unidentified ship collided with his 8.5m yacht, Mica.

The shipwrecked 52-year-old spent the next 2 1/2 hours fighting to survive in the freezing waters.

"I had no idea it was coming," he said yesterday.

"The first time I saw it was when there was a big crash."

Mr Jaselius raced up into the yacht's cockpit to see the bowsprit bent back and the side of a ship looming out of the darkness.

"I went back downstairs and there was already water up over my feet on the floor ... It was coming up very quick."

The Swedish sailor launched his inflatable liferaft and returned below to radio for help.

"I just told them, mayday, mayday, my ship's name, my position, what I had done, and asked, if anyone could hear me could they repeat my position."

By the time his location was confirmed, the water was up to his waist.

Mr Jaselius jumped off the yacht, which he had sailed around the world since May 1999, and hauled himself aboard the liferaft.

He let off four flares to attract attention, but slipped while holding the last one and severely burned his right hand.

The flare also melted a hole in the bottom of the liferaft, which quickly filled with water, leaving Mr Jaselius perched on the side.

"I was so tired and I was freezing. When they put a big light on me I was very happy."

That light belonged to the Russian merchant ship Mekhanik Kalyuzhniy, one of six vessels to respond to Mr Jaselius' mayday call.

Once he was aboard, the crew massaged Swedish vodka into his skin to help warm his frozen body.

"So Swedish Absolut Vodka saved me," Mr Jaselius joked in Tauranga yesterday.

Fishermen and other sailors at Tauranga's Bridge Marina have rallied around Mr Jaselius since he arrived on Sunday.

Clothes, toiletries and accommodation have been organised and $200 collected.

The former car mechanic had planned to spend six months in New Zealand but is now unsure of his plans as his yacht was not insured.

Yesterday, the Maritime Safety Authority said it was closing in on the ship involved in the collision.

Port records were being analysed and maritime authorities in the country the ship was registered in would soon be contacted, said spokeswoman Helen Mojel.

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