Rouge Wave and Life

Aboard the Towers as we pulled into Subic Bay, Phillipines (1985?)

As we were approaching the island that marked the outer reaches of Subic Bay I was working a fresh water washdown hose team on the Port side.

I don’t know what happened. I only know the water was fairly calm. There was only a slight swell and beautiful sunny weather.

I was right behind the guy with the nozzle all of a sudden this huge wave just crashes into the side of the ship knocking all of us down. The wall of water hit me square in the chest and I felt my feet get knocked out from under me.

I was riding the water down the main deck. I could feel the fire hose sliding by under me so I grabbed it.

As the water went away I felt myself hit the deck and the saltwater drained from my face... I couldn't make out what was over me. I let go of the hose and tried to sit up - I hit something.

It was the bottom lifeline. I was literally lying on the edge of the deck facing the opposite direction I was when standing and if the fire hose had not kinked on a cleat, or I had leaned a bit to my left I would have gone overboard.

I was quickly gathered up by those around me - who were all equally as wet - only the guy on the nozzle had the same experience... he ended up by the quarterdeck well inside the lifelines but equally as dazed by the freak wave at the entrance of Subic Bay.