FOR former Armidale man Ben Tooki, reliving the horrendous ordeal of being lost in the Pacific for 46 days in 2005 at the age of 22 has reinforced again in his own mind how important it is to cease life and live every day to its fullest.
In a new book titled “46 Days Adrift … A True Story” written by Barry Donnelly, Ben describes how he and his uncle Koraubara and friend Taea survived the shark-infested waters of the Pacific, off the island of Kiribati in a four-metre aluminium “tinnie” facing the daily threat of death from starvation, shark attack and pirates.
“As a young bloke growing up in Armidale my stepdad told me the story of the “little boy lost” in the bush around Armidale in the ’60s,” Ben Tooki said.
“A search was carried out and the little boy was found alive and well. Little did I know the same thing would one day happen to me.”
Ben, his uncle and a friend left Kiribati for another island in a small boat with a 50 horsepower motor. A freak storm hit the trio, pushing them off course. They survived the storm, but did not have enough petrol to make it to their destination.
“We tried to be calm, to keep it all together,” Ben said.
“My uncle just kept telling us to think positively.”
On their fourth day adrift they came across some illegal fishers who did not help them, leaving them without food or water to fend for themselves. This happened about four times throughout the 46 days.
To stay alive they had one fishing line, using skin from their feet as bait. They caught birds when they could and collected rainwater with a tarp.
Four days before they were rescued, their boat capsized. They managed to flip the boat over, but had little energy to scoop the water out. At this point they had nearly given up, sitting in water waiting to die.
They were finally rescued by a legal fishing boat and transferred by patrol boat to Kiribati and their families.
Their story was told by 60 Minutes and now in detail Ben describes their incredible survival story in the book 46 Days Adrift… A true Story which is available now in book stores.
WIN ONE OF FOUR COPIES OF
46 Days Adrift… A true Story
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Answer the question below correctly for your chance to win one of four copies of 46 Days Adrift… A True StoryQuestion: What is the name of Ben Tooki’s uncle who was also lost in the Pacific?
Return this coupon in an envelope titled “46 Days Adrift … A True Story book giveaway”
to The Armidale Independent office on Dangar Street (opposite the New England Hotel) or mail to PO Box 82, Armidale NSW 2350. Entries close Tuesday 4 June, 3pm.
