In the small fishing village of Hondeklip Bay, South Africa, 61-year-old Patrick Rulph takes on the role of monitoring and guiding the small boats that go out to sea. Despite not being paid for his work this year due to a lack of funding, Rulph continues out of a sense of duty to the community. As the only person working at the safety center, he ensures that all boats that leave in the morning return safely using the Small Vessel Monitoring System.
With a population of approximately 540 people, Hondeklip Bay struggles with a lack of gainful employment opportunities. Most residents work for low-paying municipal projects, while others are part of the Hondeklip Bay Small-Scale Fishing Cooperative. During the annual snoek fishing season, the cooperative provides some income to a significant portion of the community. Despite the challenges, the close-knit community of Hondeklip Bay comes together to support each other during times of need.
Hondeklip Bay was originally established in the mid-1800s as a transportation hub for copper ore. Rulph’s family has a long history in the commercial fishing industry, with his father being a fisherman and his mother working in a fish canning factory. Rulph himself quit high school at 16 to start working and eventually found employment in the diamond industry before returning to Hondeklip Bay to work at the safety center.
Rulph’s daily responsibilities include tracking vessels using monitoring and communication equipment, ensuring the safety of fishers at sea, especially in instances of thick fog and navigation challenges. Through his dedication and reliability, he has helped prevent any instances of fishers drowning at sea in Hondeklip Bay. Despite his unpaid status, Rulph continues to perform his duties, buoyed by the support of his community and his belief in the importance of his work.
Through his unpaid work at the safety center, Rulph demonstrates a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of Hondeklip Bay’s fishers. His selflessness extends beyond his profession to acts of kindness such as collecting fish donations for poorer families in the community. Rulph’s dedication to his work and his community reflects a deep understanding of the risks involved in fishing and the importance of ensuring the safe return of all fishers.
As long as he is able, Rulph remains committed to guiding Hondeklip Bay’s fishers home safely. His belief in the principle of blessing others to receive blessings himself underscores his compassion and dedication to serving his community. Despite the challenges he faces, Rulph’s unwavering commitment to the safety of the fishers in Hondeklip Bay stands as a testament to the resilience and spirit of solidarity within the community.
