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

~ (Author) "ON SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 4, 1994, A SATELLITE GLIDED WITH silent efficiency in polar orbit over the South Pacific..." (more)
Key Phrases: pan call, companionway door, storm jib, New Zealand, Silver Shadow, Tui Cakau (more...)

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

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 as 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. Royal New Zealand air and navy crews battled their way through the storm to rescue those in peril. Commercial ships were diverted from their own survival routines to find these tiny boats in the vast Pacific. Most were saved--some disappeared under the tumbling seas.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 273 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill (October 4, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070213674
• ISBN-13: 978-0070213678
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,566,613 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Dana R. Dinius "dinius4" (Leavenworth, WA USA) - See all my reviews

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

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Tale!, June 9, 2006

By	Rainy Hafermann (Fond du Lac, WI USA) - 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)

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!

5 of 5 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.