Glenn Anderson

But that was only kind of momentary.

It was just like a consideration.

And then I was always just like, no, just keep kicking, just keep going.

It was starting to get to a point where I knew that we needed to be out of the water soon, sooner rather than later, definitely.

But we were getting closer to shore all the time, so that kept me buoyant that I knew we were making progress.

I could tell that we were getting closer, and so I just needed to keep going.

The fisheries boat came over straight towards us with the light and siren going and it was such a moment of relief to see them coming towards us and knowing that they were actually coming to us and not going to go past and not see us like so many boats had done during the day.

Like, just classic, like, Aussie humor thing to say, like, after the four and a half hours I'd been in the water.

And I said, yeah, mate, you're taking away my glory.

What are you doing?

And then, yeah, he kind of jokes aside, let's get everyone on the boat and pulled us up.

It wasn't until that point where I'd got on the boat and got to process that we were okay, we were rescuing Ruby, was going to get the medical help she needed, that I had just this emotional release and, yeah, just break down on the boat as we were going back to the harbour.

But it was just such a combination of

Just relief for that situation to have been over.

I knew Ruby was in good hands and that we were going to be okay.

The rescuers hadn't anticipated that I would try and swim to shore.

They were looking in the area where the debris from the boat was floating and kind of near where my other crewmates had been rescued.

So they assumed that I'd be in a similar kind of area, whereas I'd been frantically kicking myself mostly towards the shore.

I remember my partner at the time asked me if I needed anything from the shops and I was like, no, I think I'm good.

And she was like, you're amazing.