Phillip Henry Gordon Smith

The only survivor was 19-year-old deckhand Philip Smith, who managed to escape from the wheelhouse and endure several knocks to the head as he collided with the boat, before a huge wave flung him clear of the dangerous rocks.

Now nearly 70 years old and in poor health, Mr Smith, who later became a commercial fisherman, lives in Australia. He was in the wheelhouse when the 6-ton Ranui was lifted by the stern and turned end-over-end by a freak wave about 5 pm. Mr Greig, who rushed to the scene after hearing a radio report, said Mr Smith was incredibly lucky to be tossed up onto a small area of sand among the rocks. He was able to struggle to higher ground as the maelstrom scattered people and wreckage. Source: http://jasotufy2.blogspot.com/p/ranui-disaster-2013.html - 2013 Ranui Disaster 2013 Term 3 Inquiry Homework Project.