Overview
Main description
In June of 1994 a dangerous "bomb" storm caught dozens of cruising sailors by surprise as they voyaged north from New Zealand. This is the true story of how nine yachts struggled to survive the hurricane-like conditions. Boats were battered by fierce winds and capsized by seas towering well over 50 feet high. Equipment was ripped loose, and water penetrated every weak point. Masts collapsed, rudders broke, and sailors lost steering control when they needed it most. The crews coped as best they could with injury, fear, exhaustion, and illness. Their electronic calls for help were picked up by satellites and radio operators, who initiated a massive air and sea search. This is the story of heroic rescues, human endurance, and tragic loss.
Table of contents
ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgments1 Someone's in Trouble Out There2 Mayday! Mayday!3 We're Taking on Water4 Help's on the Way5 We've Just Been Rolled!6 I'm Here to Save You7 They Look Like Stunned Mulletsphotographs follow page 1168 Those Beacons Are Lifesavers9 I've Never Seen Anything Like It10 The Rig's Gone!11 Can You Shoot a Flare Off . . . ?12 To the Edge of Peril13 We're All in Shock14 Jump! Jump!15 The Vacation from HellEpilogueAppendix I Meteorological ReviewAppendix II Particulars of Vessels and CrewsAppendix III New Zealand Maritime Safety Authority ReportAppendix IV New Zealand Maritime Safety RegulationsAppendix V CommendationsIndex
Author comments
Tony Farrington (Auckland, New Zealand) has been around the sea and boats most of his life. Only a last-minute business commitment prevented him from putting to sea unwittingly into the jaws of this storm. An experienced journalist and television reporter, he also runs a successful public relations and advertising company that has worked with two of his country's America's Cup challenges. Tony is currently planning a world circumnavigation.
Back cover copy
In June 1994 a dangerous "bomb" storm caught dozens of cruising sailors by surprise as they voyaged north from New Zealand. This is the true story of how nine yachts struggled to survive the hurricane-like conditions. Boats were battered by fierce winds and capsized by seas towering well over 50 feet high.
Masts collapsed, rudders broke, and sailors lost steering control when they needed it most.
This book details the story of the heroic men and women on the yachts, in the planes, on the ships, and on land who took part in this sea drama--find out what really happened and what it was like out there.
This is both a shock course in survival for bluewater voyagers and a riveting human drama for sailors and nonsailors alike.
"If you're cruising now, clear a space on your boat's bookshelf: The lessons here can help pull you through even a nightmare of a storm."--SAIL
" . . . a dramatic story of life, death, and the epic
struggle of man against the forces of nature . . . gripping . . . compelling . . . a story as spellbinding
and harrowing as any novel."--Multihulls
" . . . gripping reading. . . . Farrington's account of the skippers' attempts to secure their boats against the storm will be invaluable to blue water sailors. . . . You don't have to know much about sailing to find this book fascinating. It is a story of human endeavor, endurance, courage, and frailty, and the accounts of the rescues are particularly exciting."--The Evening Post (Wellington, New Zealand)
"[a]book you will want to read from cover to cover."--Boating NZ
"Tony Farrington tells a remarkable rescue story. . . . If you enjoy the water, I suggest that you read this volume."--The Ensign
"The human spirit . . . is the best survival tool there is. That is one of the lessons of this valuable, enthralling book."--John Rousmaniere, author of Fastnet, Force 10
