"We are a big family," she says referring to those affected by the disaster.
Two decades on, many questions remain unanswered.
The causes of the incident have never been fully established, despite a Senegalese government inquiry and a French probe launched because of the deaths of several French citizens.
Engine failure, a navigational error, bad weather, poor maintenance and overcrowding -- or a combination -- were likely to blame.
Officially, 1,928 people were onboard a boat designed for only 536.
"There was negligence, failures -- that much is known," says Nadine.
