Saved by a hero: Chlóe's journey of love

Chlóe from Vietnam and Mitch from the US last week travelled all the way from America to get married in the Faroes.

“When Mitch asked me, ‘where do you want the wedding?’ I said that the Faroe Islands are a very special place for me because this is the place where God chose the man that has the biggest heart. He saved my life when I was two years old,” explains Chlóe.

She is referring to Páll Jensen, a Faroese captain on a Danish tanker ship, who in 1987 saved 211 refugees from drowning at sea.

A big sacrifice

Páll passed away in 2013. His daughter, Rannfrí, tells the story:

“When my dad started his morning shift, his crew told him that they had passed a refugee boat. He immediately said, ‘we’re turning back to rescue them’,” she explains.

“They told him that he would lose his job if he did that. And, yes, he was fired afterwards. The refugees were in a terrible state, and their boat sank shortly after they were taken on board the ship. My dad never really recovered from this experience, but I am so proud of him.”

Chlóe only learned about this story when her mum told her about it in 2016.

Meeting the family

She immediately decided that she wanted to visit the Faroes and meet Páll’s family.

“They have taken me in like their own, like their family. I’m just so blessed and grateful. I love them,” she says.

Rannfrí adds: “Chlóe calls me her sister and says she owes her life to my dad. So, this is obviously a big day for us all,” 

And Mitch chips in: “This is where we got married. Beautiful place. We’ll be back many times.”

Watch Chlóe, Mitch and Rannfrí explain more in this TV news feature.

English version by prosa.fo.

More Faroese News in English.