Working Conditions Aboard the Poavosa-Wisdom-Vii

On the evening of November 2, 2021, a crew member from Myanmar made a daring leap overboard from the cargo ship 'Poavosa Wisdom VII' in a bid to seek asylum in New Zealand. His audacious act led to an almost day-long struggle in the icy waters off the coast near Gisborne, where he battled against powerful currents. Initially, the weather conditions were favorable, but as he swam, the situation quickly deteriorated, and he was pulled further away from the vessel. Though he donned an immersion suit, it failed to protect him from the elements as water gradually seeped in during his prolonged exposure. Remarkably, nearly 24 hours later, at approximately 5 p.m. on November 2, he was finally spotted and rescued by the Eastland Port pilot vessel 'Rere Moana.' Following the rescue, he was transported to Gisborne Hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia. As a precautionary measure, he was placed in isolation after testing negative for Covid-19. The crew member, who was scheduled to return to Myanmar at the conclusion of his contract in two months, expressed grave concerns for his safety if he were to go back. His family, belonging to the Hindu minority in the predominately Buddhist nation, had been active participants in the nationwide pro-democracy movement.