Milton Hill’s fishing partner is a hero. The 48 year old refused to leave Mr Hill, 68, behind when a freak wave capsized their boat on Friday afternoon, just as they were heading into Devonshire Bay at the end of a day of “spectacular fishing,” Mr Hill said.“It was miraculous and traumatic at the same time,” is how he sums up the experience that nearly took his life.He’s still shaken up and his partner is not ready to talk to the media — not least because he is still coming to terms with almost losing his life.But some insensitive comments by bloggers on The Royal Gazette website did nothing to persuade him that telling his story publicly is a good idea. We agreed not to name him for this story.“In 30 seconds everything just happened. That’s my assessment,” said Mr Hill.“But being in the water, being slammed against the boat a few times — that seemed like an eternity.”The boat — a Marshall Island catboat — was built for stability. “They are masterful boats. The only thing that would captive them is a freak wave and that’s what happened.”The pair had set off from Devonshire Bay where the boat was moored at around 11.30am. Their fishing ground was just about 20 minutes away.“We had a beautiful day of fishing,” Mr Hill said. They had hauled in about three dozen amberjacks, barracudas, robins and some rockfish before deciding to head back.“It was calm all the way, super calm.” They put out a trawling line “just in case we would catch something coming back.”Within minutes they were navigating the channel into the bay.“We could almost touch land,” said Mr Hill. “I was standing on the starboard side — we’re in the process of going to the moorings — the wave came and just took the boat and rolled it right over.”He found himself standing on top of the bottom of the boat.“All of a sudden my friend was upside down in the cabin. And I’m running across and when I look I see the propeller still turning and I’m saying where’s my friend and he’s under the boat.”Chris Ingham happened to be on the shore just in time to see the boat roll.He raised the alarm and soon about eight to ten people, including some fishermen who were cleaning their fish, were working on rescuing the two.“The boat comes back and slams me in the chest,” Mr Hill continued. And then again in the ribs.“The waves were — forceful. I wouldn’t say violent because it’s the sea. The waves hit me across the neck and I felt like my head came off.”At this point Mr Hill pauses, buries his head in his hands and sobs quietly for a few seconds.His partner “went to my left and says ‘we’ve got to swim’. I tried to swim but the current just took me and the only thing I could grab was the ice chest. That’s what popped up and I couldn’t manage that thing.”Mr Hill pauses. Telling the story is not easy.“The chest was a source of buoyancy but the surge was taking me back to the breakers and I said ‘I can’t manage this thing’.”The police were called and someone in the group of rescuers on shore got some rope and a bucket to throw out to them.“Finally, a cushion pops up. He [Mr Hill’s fishing partner] was about 90 feet away and he got to me. He came to me and said ‘I’m not leaving you here’,” said Mr Hill.“And we both held on to the cushion and we wrapped our arms around each other and pedalled until we got to the bucket.”He added: “There’s no greater friend than one who would give up his life for his friend.”Between the rough swells and the rocks which “looked like dragon backs” getting safely on shore seemed impossible. Then the miracle happened.“When I got my hand on the rope a wave came and just lifted me right up and the police were there and they just picked me up and put me on the rocks.“I looked back and saw my friend sliding back, then a wave came and lifted him up.”Mr Hill said: “The guy with the bucket — I don’t know where he got the bucket from but thank God for him.”During the ordeal, Mr Hill says he thought about the two brothers Mustafa Abdul-Hadee and Mikel Williams who lost their lives when their boat crashed into the reefs off St Davids Battery early this year.“Everybody has an opinion, and rightfully so, but until you are in a situation like that ... I understood their story, their loss.“You’re so close but so far away. Land never looked so good but it’s so hard to come to.”But the veteran seafarer said he was not fearful. “I am 68 years old. I’ve been in the ocean since I was five years old, I’ve sailed in lots and lots of ships,” he said.“I wasn’t and I have never been fearful in the water. I just felt hopeless and helpless.”He said: “We all have a mind and a spirit but the sea also has a mind and it could be calm as oil and sharp as a razor. The sea just showed its power and its dominance.”Mr Hill said that the experience was like a “resurrection” for him. “That particular boat, I bought for my retirement. But my life now is the preciousness of my family.”Asked if he plans on going fishing again, Mr Hill was unhesitant. “Yes, absolutely. It’s like asking a bird can he fly.”He already has plans to replicate the boat he’s just lost - only about eight feet bigger.