Rescue in the Pacific: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in a Force 12 Storm [Paperback]

Tony Farrington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

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.

Editorial Reviews

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070486190
• ISBN-13: 978-0070486195
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was there., October 15, 2002

By 

Dana R. Dinius (Leavenworth, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rescue in the Pacific: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in a Force 12 Storm (Hardcover)

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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Tale!, June 8, 2006

By 

Rainy Hafermann (Fond du Lac, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rescue in the Pacific: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in a Force 12 Storm (Paperback)

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!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More compelling than A Perfect Storm, July 25, 2002

By 

William Graf "float my boat" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rescue in the Pacific: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in a Force 12 Storm (Paperback)

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.