• Boat number: Pb780
• Number of people: 84 men, women and children
• Arriving to Pulau Bidong Island 30 January 1983
• Boat type: Slightly modified 14m Long River fiery
• Journey: 3 days and 3 nights from southern Vietnam

As far as I can recalled, it was very rough sea for the first 16 hours of our journey, the boat take in a lot of water, being a river ferry it was not sea worthy. All the men have to bail water because the water pump simply cannot cope with the volume. After that, it was calm although the waves were still huge, we prayed and thank heaven above for sparing our lives. We have had a good run, the boat did not breakdown, did not run into pirates and we still have a bit of food and water as we reached mainland Malaysia. We are all in good health apart from seasickness.

My incomplete family living in Sungai Besi camp in 1983. I am the little boy in the photo, my father on my right, my older sister than my eldest brother on my left. My mum and youngest sister was still back in VN then. We re-united in Australia 1989. That is how we lived in demountable before we were moved to the very last Long House. Our under roof space was right next to the church and towards camp boundary fence. Unlike demountable, we only have floor space to sit and eat/sleep on, no beds.

Our family stayed on the island for six weeks, then three and half months in Sungai Besi camp on the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur. Our refugees application were granted and we destined for Australia, we have called Australia home since. I myself have returned to visit Vietnam 3 times since we left early 1983. The second and third trip with my young family, showing the younger generation where we came from.

By Thuan Nguyen hidandledguy@gmail.com