Rough voyage Back out on the open seas, the Obod ran into a storm that rocked the ship so hard that four giant steel girders broke free and plunged into the ocean, leaving sailors scrambling to lash the remaining cargo down. In early October the engine conked out again. The ship was adrift for two weeks before Nordic towed it into Honolulu Harbor. The crew received the standard 29-day offshore leave. But when that ended, INS officials ordered the sailors to remain on the vessel because it deemed them a flight risk.
Crew members say they spent a bleak winter holiday season virtually imprisoned on the ship.
A local orthodox Christian priest came out to conduct a Christmas prayer service for them, but the priest had to stay on the dock because he was forbidden from coming aboard. Things improved slightly in late January after the crew's ordeal was publicized in the local news media and the INS let them off the ship. Meanwhile, Hawai ' i's small Serb community has rallied to the crew's aid, inviting them for Sunday picnics and soccer at Kapi ' olani Park. Girlfriend waiting The Sailor's Union of the Pacific also has donated phone cards, food and other supplies. Though the Obod sailors appreciate the support, they can't help feeling homesick.