Product 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #63530 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
The author was aboard his yacht in New Zealand listening to radio reports of friends and others trapped out on rough waters during a sudden terrible storm. Accounts of rescue and drama which took place in over seventy hours tells of the largest search-and-rescue operation in the South Pacific, recreating the tension and choices of the events. Excellent armchair true drama. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Back Cover
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

About the Author
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.

Customer Reviews

I was there.
As capitan of the Destiny and having experienced this storm first hand, I can say that Tony's work is by far the most accurate of all the articals I have read. This is the book I recogmend when asked for my story. For those of you planning an ocean crossing, I would suggest that there are lessions learned during this storm that will prove of great value to you should you ever find yourselve in "the wrong place at the wrong time". My views of survival in extreem heavy weather were forever changed. It's a good read.
Dana Dinius

Gripping Tale!
I've read numerous sailing adventure books, but this one is a true page turner! You learn about all of the differnt sailors on board each boat that gets swallowed up in a Force 12 storm. You begin to bond with these people and feel their anxiety and fears right along with them. One thing that stands apart in this book, verses others that I've read: is the author takes time to pay tribute to the heroics of the rescuers who are sent out to sea, to risk their own lives to save the lives of others. If you want fast paced, gripping suspense and adventure; then you'll certainly want to read this book!

More compelling than A Perfect Storm
A real page-turner. I couldn't put it down. The suspense was spellbinding. Unlike A Perfect Storm, you don't know the outcome. Well written and true according to a friend who married a pilot who knew the rescuers.