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The Classics

PHOTO FLASHBACK: Welcome Home to Jason Whyte who was adrift in the Caribbean Sea for 17 days – 1971

Published:Friday | June 25, 2021 | 12:45 PMA Digital Integration & Marketing production
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Happy reunion - Jason Whyte, 14-year-old Jamaican boy who was adrift in the Caribbean Sea for 17 days after the death of his father, surrounded by members of his family at the Palisadoes Airport VIP Lounge on his arrival on June 19, 1971. His mother Mrs Eva Whyte (in hat), sisters and a brother comfort Jason. Mrs Allan Douglas (left) of the Minister of Youth and Community Development and Mr Carlos Cabezas Panamanian Charge de'Affairs
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Back in the bosom of his family - Jason Whyte drinks a glass of orange juice, held for him by his half-sister, Miss Grace Reddicks, in the VIP Lounge at the Palisadoes Airport on June 19, 1971. Jason's mother, Mrs Eva Whyte, (in hat), his sisters and his brother complete the poignant family group.
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Award for the hero: Young Jason Whyte (left) Jamaica's youngest hero seen with Lady Campbell wife of the Governor General Sir Clifford Campbell shortly after receiving his award from Her Excellency, for his courage and bravery shown in the face of danger and hardship. Centre is Mr. John Elliot, Chairman of the Royal Life Saving Society (Jamaica).
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Prime Minister, Hugh Shearer (left), greeting Jason Whyte, a 14-year-old schoolboy of Rock, Trelawny, who paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at his office on July 1, 1971. At right is the Minister of Youth and Community Development, the Hon. Allan Douglas. Jason recently survived a 17-day ordeal at sea while on an ill-fated fishing expedition with his father, who lost his life. The youngster was one of three persons to receive the Governor-General's Award for Bravery and the Prime Minister congratulated him on the presentation of the Award the previous afternoon at the Hotel Kingston poolside, during the closing exercises of Water Safety Month 1971.
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On June 20, 1971 The Sunday Gleaner lead story headlined 'Jason, of Jamaica, back from the sea' recounted the ordeal of 14-year-old Jason Whyte who had spent 17 days adrift at sea, surviving on raw fish and seawater.

He was returning from Panama where he had been taken after being rescued by the crew of the German-registered ship the Eibe Oldendorff.

The story with accompanying photos of Jason leaving the plane at the Palisadoes Airport and especially one of him nestled between his mother and sisters in the VIP lounge generated much talk for weeks.

Jason escaped death in an extraordinary sage of survival, which had a fairy tale ending, thanks to a chance encounter and the sixth sense of Captain Jurgen Pentzin, skipper of the Eibe Oldendorff.

This is a production independent of The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited's newsroom. For feedback: contact the Digital Integration and Marketing Department at Newsletters@gleanerjm.com