Adrift for 21 days: American man’s journey from Philippines to Vietnam

Quinn Richard Anthony (L) discusses his sea journey with a VnExpress reporter on the evening of June 4, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Chau Tho

On June 4 Quinn Richard Anthony spoke to VnExpress about his relief that the boat’s engine was functioning again.

After being towed to a port in central Vietnam’s Quang Ngai Province the day before by local fishermen, he was keen to repair his boat and continue his travel before heading back to Hanoi to reunite with his wife Dao Thi Hieu, whom he first encountered on a trip to Hanoi in 2006 and married three years later. He had finally contacted his wife the day before after a month of being incommunicado.

She told him: "I’m relieved you’re safe and healthy despite the boat’s problems."

Anthony, originally from Aruba in the Caribbean, moved to the U.S. and started a career in shipping at 19. He became a captain by 30. Throughout his career, he worked for a major U.S. marine transport company, captaining large vessels.

He recalled his seafaring adventures through the waters off Japan, Taiwan, Africa, the Panama Canal, and Alaska in the U.S.

His long years at sea made him skilled in using navigation charts and provided him with a broad appreciation for the scenic beauty of various coastlines.

After retiring as a sailor, he moved to Hanoi and began biking across Vietnam post-marriage. An avid adventurer, he was eager to embark on a lengthy sea voyage in a sailboat.

"I love the sea, but my wife does not, and so I had to go alone," he said.

In February he traveled to the Philippines and bought a sailboat that was over 10 meters long and equipped with a twin hull and an engine. He used the vessel to explore various islands in the Philippines before setting off for Nha Trang on April 5, a voyage of more than 1,000 km.

For the journey, he packed a gas stove, rice, dry food, fishing rods, diving gear, a large sea chart, and ample paper and pens for jotting down notes and calculations. Confident in his maritime knowledge, he was certain of reaching Vietnam on schedule.

The first week of his voyage went smoothly, with the wind nicely driving his boat as expected. But its direction changed suddenly, veering the boat off its path.

Since he was not beholden to a work schedule, Anthony was unconcerned when the weather extended his voyage.

Throughout the trip, in addition to his stored food provisions, he supplemented his provisions by fishing. A month earlier he had stopped in Thailand to stock up on food and called his wife before continuing his trip.

But then his journey took a critical turn when strong winds on May 14 damaged the sail mast and the overused engine stalled and could not be repaired.

Quinn Richard Anthony's boat currently docked at Sa Huynh port for repairs. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Bang

"Looking at the map, I still thought I would make it to Vietnam, just to a different destination than Nha Trang, and it would take a bit longer," he says, drawing on his past experiences as a captain navigating stormy and hazardous areas.

In the ensuing days he had no option but to let the wind carry the boat, with his supply of food and water dwindling. He estimated the wind’s direction would lead him to Da Nang instead of Nha Trang.

After being adrift for almost three weeks, on June 3 he spotted a Vietnamese fishing boat and shouted and signaled to the fishermen for assistance. They approached, learned of his predicament and towed his boat to Sa Huynh Port 80 kilometers away.

On arrival, border patrol officers at the port checked his health, provided him with food and water and helped him contact his wife. Local technicians are repairing the engine and replacing the sail mast.

Anthony intends to sail to Da Nang and leave his boat there and return to Hanoi. Asked about his plan to sail to Nha Trang, he says he will do it when conditions are right.