The Diver and the Cook: Trapped in 102 Feet of Water

A ship lost. No survivors. A grim recovery mission begins, pushing a team of commercial divers well beyond their comfort zone. Braving treacherous conditions, saturation diver Nico van Heerden single-handedly combs the cramped, debris-strewn, zero-visibility Jascon 4 shipwreck searching for any sign of the lost crew.

Then, in a scene akin to a horror movie, while exploring a small, isolated compartment, Nico feels a tap on his shoulder. Could someone have survived underwater for over sixty hours?

The Diver & the Cook is the incredible true story of a seemingly impossible underwater rescue. With first-hand accounts, authentic images and detailed reconstructions, author and documentary maker Lasse Spang Olsen brings this gripping tale to life.

The book is the culmination of more than four years of labour, which included extensive interviews, access to undiscovered information, and a thorough analysis of the film and discussions captured during the actual occurrence.

Watch as Harrison Okene, the galley chef for Jascon 4, battles for his life after his ship goes down, demonstrating the human spirit’s undying resolve. Nico van Heerden, a novice saturation diver, must lead the rescue effort in a dangerous underwater setting, which presents a formidable obstacle. What regulations must the dive team violate in order to save Harrison before it’s too late, given the limited amount of time?

This account, which describes an unusual operation, offers a distinctive viewpoint on the risks and difficulties experienced by divers and highlights the value of cooperation and communication in high-risk situations. It is an incredible survival story against all odds, with an equally surprising aftermath.