A British man has been hailed a hero after his quick thinking saved all 20 passengers and crew when their yacht sank in dramatic fashion off the Colombian coast.
Christian Powys-Keck, 33, from Radlett in Hertfordshire, sprang into action when The Alessandra was struck by what appeared to be a pirate vessel in the early hours of January 3.
The movie set builder risked his own life by racing below deck twice to rouse sleeping passengers as seawater poured into the damaged hull.
His brother Leycester told The Sun: "He saved everyone."
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All those aboard survived the terrifying ordeal in Caribbean waters.
The 33-year-old described the vessel going down bow-first in scenes reminiscent of a certain famous 1997 blockbuster film.
"The ship went down nose first like the Titanic and myself and a Swiss guy called Tim found ourselves clinging to the stern," Christian told The Sun.
"We were riding it down just like Jack and Rose in the movie and that scene was actually in my head as I tried to work out when to let go."
As the double-masted yacht disappeared beneath the waves, both men were dragged underwater by the powerful suction.
Christian Powys-Keck can be seen boarding a rescue vessel after saving countless lives from a sinking boat
|COLOMBIAN NAVY
"I wasn't just terrified I was absolutely s***ing it! I thought I was going to die," he admitted.
Christian fought his way back to the surface, remarkably still clutching his wallet and phone.
Christian's brother Leycester, who runs a security firm, recounted how his sibling immediately took charge when disaster struck at 4.40am.
"It became clear the boat was sinking and his actions saved everyone on board, I'm so proud of him," he told The Sun.
"Christian went down to shout at everyone, waking them and warning them to get off the ship."
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Those on board managed to secure alternative travel
|COLOMBIAN NAVY
By the time the Hertfordshire man climbed back up the ladder to escape, water had risen to his waist and the vessel was lurching dangerously.
"He was very shaken up. He told me: 'It felt like a scene from a film but it f***ing wasn't!'" Leycester recalled.
The survivors found themselves treading water in darkness, surrounded by shark-inhabited seas, clinging to a damaged life raft and floating debris.
The group had been enjoying a spectacular five-day New Year voyage from Panama to the Colombian port of Cartagena when tragedy struck.
Their journey began with a speedboat transfer from Panama City to the picturesque San Blas islands for snorkelling and celebrations before boarding The Alessandra – a stunning steel-hulled yacht that featured in the 1994 Brad Pitt film Legends of the Fall.
Colombian Coast Guard units reached the stricken passengers within roughly 20 minutes of the abandon ship order, with all survivors taken to Cartagena for medical checks. None suffered serious injuries.
Christian was left stranded in Colombia with just a carrier bag of belongings, though he managed to save his passport and bank card.
"I'm still a bit shocked but have at least managed to buy some shoes and clothes," he said.
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