06/21/2025
The incredible story of Harrison Okene's survival.
Harrison Okene spent 72 hours at 100ft (30,5 meters) underwater in complete darkness after his boat capsized 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the coast of Nigeria and sank to the bottom of the ocean. He was discovered alive by divers who were sent to recover dead bodies. Out of the 12 crew he was the only survivor.
He was the cook aboard the tugboat Jascon-4 when it capsized and sank off the coast of Nigeria in May 2013. He survived for roughly 60-72 hours in a small air pocket within the sunken vessel, 100 feet underwater in total darkness.
•The Disaster:
A freak wave or sudden ocean swell caused the Jascon-4 to flip over and sink rapidly.
•Survival in an Air Pocket:
Okene, trapped inside, managed to find refuge in a tiny air pocket, initially in a toilet cubicle. He then moved to an officer's cabin where the air pocket was roughly 4 feet high.
•Extreme Conditions:
He endured complete darkness, freezing temperatures, and the constant threat of drowning. He had no food or fresh water, only a bottle of Coca-Cola.
•Conserving Oxygen and Reducing CO2:
To survive, Okene rationed his breathing and stayed calm. He also inadvertently helped reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide by splashing around in the water, which aided in CO2 absorption.
•Facing Fear and Despair:
Okene described feeling incredibly scared and thirsty, and he even heard the sounds of fish eating the bodies of his crewmates. He focused on his faith and prayer to help him endure.
•The Rescue:
A team of divers, sent to recover the bodies of the crew, discovered him when he heard them tapping on the ship and managed to get their attention.
•Decompression Chamber:
Because of the depth he had been at, Okene had to spend 60 hours in a decompression chamber to safely return to the surface without suffering the bends.
•Life After Rescue:
Despite the trauma, Okene eventually decided to face his fear and became a certified deep-sea diver. He now works on underwater repairs and installations. He has also spoken about the importance of improving safety at sea.
Harrison Okene's story is widely considered a true miracle and a testament to human resilience and the will to survive.
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