Heroic efforts of Bapco staff save two lives from drowning in open sea

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Heroic efforts of Bapco employees, who put their lives at risk to save two lives from drowning in the open sea following a jet ski accident, have been honoured. Bapco Chairman, and Chief Executive, Dr Dawood Nassif, haling the employees for their “selfless” acts, said it calls for “great courage” to perform such selfless acts.

The actions began this Saturday at 4:30 pm with Khalil Al-Dosari, a Wharf Security Officer, finding an ‘unmanned’ jet ski ramming onto the Wharf Trestle repeatedly. Al Dosari found that the jet ski’s engine was running, with it continuing to be in motion.

Alarmed of the impending danger, Al Dosari rushed to investigate the matter, just as a call from the Wharf Senior Loading Master alerted them of a couple drowning in the sea, urging them to rescue them. Officials also alerted the Coast Guard and the National Ambulance on the mid-sea mishap.

In no time, Mohamed A. Latif, Saif Ahmed and Jassim Yusuf, three Bapco crew from Marine Operations, jumped into action to rescue the drowning couple in the sea near Berth # 3.

Meanwhile, the jet ski continued its hammering of the Wharf Trestle, presenting a risk of explosion. Security Officer Khalil Mubarak Al-Dosari lowered himself on a rope to the highly unstable ski from a height of 30 feet, bringing it under control skilfully and moving it away from the port to safety.

Bapco Port Security personnel, in cooperation with Wharf Marine Operations, carried out the rescue operation. “I want to thank these courageous men who didn’t hesitate to provide help promptly and bravely. We are very proud of them. They did everything they could to help,” Dr Dawood Nassif added.

“In addition to saving the lives, the men also safeguarded Bapco’s resources by taking control of the jet ski, which was out of control and impacting the Bapco Wharf piles. This heroic action deserves our praise and respect,” Dr Nassif concluded. Bapco thanked its employees for their prompt courageous actions and thanked the Coast Guard and National Ambulance personnel for their help and assistance.