The Friends of the East London Museum will be hosting a special shipwrecks talk and Oceanos commemorative event at the museum on Saturday August 5.
The historical sinking of the Oceanos is considered to be one of the most famous rescue operations in SA maritime history.
Thirty-two years ago, 571 passengers were rescued from the sinking Oceanos as the cruise liner was headed towards Durban.
Geraldine Morcom, director of East London Museum says the Oceanos story has always piqued public interest and all related talks have been well supported and have evoked much discussion. Currently housed at the museum is a dedicated archive of the event including recovered material from the ship.
“The Oceanos rescue story is one of the greatest sea rescues in history where not one life was lost. All 571 passengers and crew survived, including the captain’s dog. It is a story of great courage and incredible co-ordinated human effort to save lives, which should always be remembered.
“I also believe that it is a reminder of the need to respect the immense power of our natural environment.”
Debbie Meecham, 54, is one of the survivors and she says that the experience has had a lasting impact on her life, both positive and negative.
Meecham, who was just a 21-year-old travel agent at the time, remembers the experience and described it as the most traumatic moments of her life.
“One thing I remember about that day is that it was very windy. We weren’t supposed to set sail but at the last minute, the captain decided that we should go. It was so traumatic.
“We weren’t being told anything as it was happening. The captain was one of the first people who left the ship.
“It was the entertainment crew that assisted people into lifeboats.
“There weren’t even enough lifeboats for everyone. We had to stay on the ship until we were rescued the next morning.
“That experience made me terrified of water. I only went into the ocean for the first time three years ago. But it was also a wake-up call.”
Meecham will be among the survivors in attendance at the commemoration event.
She added, “I think it’s so important for historical events to be commemorated so that people in our small town can know that we are part of East London history. I work at a high school and I always share my experiences with the pupils. I still have the life jacket I wore that night, as well as my cabin key. There are so many East London survivors and we meet each other from time to time.”
The money raised through this event will be used to upgrade the permanent gallery as well as the Oceanos exhibition as the museum.
The programme for the day will include a Treasure Island play for children by Joy of Books, a talk by Jonathan Bals on shipwrecks along the Eastern Cape coastline, as well as talks by Oceanos survivors about their experiences. Director of the play, Jen Bryson Moorcroft, says the showcase will be a great opportunity for children to interact with the characters and the story.
The entry fee will be R20 per person.
