A remarkable story of bad luck and great patience graced the Courier’s front page almost 37 years ago (March 24, 1989).

Ballito ski-boat fisherman Anton Robbertse and his two crew members Fana Khumalo and Thembinkosi Sibiya were stranded 14km off Tinley Manor when their anchor hooked on a reef and a wave overturned their boat in the early afternoon.

All the safety gear fell overboard and the trio decided to sit on the upturned boat and wait for rescue.

“We sat out the whole night hoping that somebody would pick us up but there was not a soul in sight,” said Anton.

“We could see the lights of passing ships and traffic on the N2 in the distance.”

Anton said they were not terrified of sharks but that the cold during the night had been unbearable.

By the time the next morning arrived, no rescue appeared forthcoming. Robbertse eventually attempted to swim to another boat about 2km away and was picked up from the water by a separate passing vessel.

The NSRI later recovered the boat and the other two passengers – disaster averted, but a very good story!