49.9

In Greek mythology, Sirens were part human, part bird. They lived on a rocky island in the middle of the sea, possibly near Italy. They sang melodies so beautiful that sailors passing by couldn't resist getting closer to them. Following their song, the sailors would steer their ships towards them or jump in the water to get closer. Either way, it always ended in disaster on the rocks. That is why the island where they lived was full of shipwrecks.

That was just to explain the title. The more down to earth facts say that the tanker "Africa" fell into a storm on a night of December 2003. The strong winds and powerful waves made sure that it was its last pass from the island of Milos. And frankly, standing there on an August morning with the wind trying to sweep me off my feet and the waves crashing all around me, this second version seemed much more plausible. But then again, looking back at the memory of that day through the filter of nostalgia I could swear there was a haunting song hidden in the howling of the wind…