On the waves floated the wreckage of a wooden boat. Among the planks and splinters were people barely managing to stay afloat — exhausted, weakened, their eyes full of despair. They could hardly fight against the waves any longer.

— “People overboard!” shouted the captain.

At once, the crew rushed into a rescue operation. They lowered ropes, an inflatable raft, and nets. One by one, the sailors pulled the shipwrecked survivors aboard, who could hardly raise their arms anymore.