Rescue in the Pacific: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in a Force 12 Storm by Tony Farrington
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 endeavour, 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.