A true story of men against the sea.

Heavy weather management is simple-there are only two basic rules. The prudent mariner must control his vessel's speed and angle to the wind and seas. That's it. There's nothing complicated about these concepts. However, the offshore execution of these concepts at sea in 50+ knots of breeze and 30+ foot seas-what we traditionalists call offshore seamanship-can vary greatly depending on the boat type, number of hulls, sea state, wind force, the proximity and direction of land, the presence of ocean currents, underwater topography, and a hundred other evolving factors. Storm management can-and does-get complicated fast. This book covers everything the offshore sailor needs to know about vessel preparation, reducing sail, reefing, towing slowing drogues, deploying a parachute-type sea anchor and, ultimately, hanging to a Jordan Series Drogue. (340 pages, 42 photos, 36 illustrations.) Its core premise is simple: a used $3,000 sailboat can be safer offshore than a new $3,000,000 yacht if it is storm-proofed, has the proper gear, and has a crew who knows how to deploy both. Are you considering taking people you love offshore with limited funds to spend on marine safety gear? If so, read this book. It will both save you money and provide peace of mind. Storm survival isn't rocket science. It's all basic, do-able stuff. The emphasis is on practical what-actually-works at sea-with awareness that safety gear costs money and takes up valuable space. This book is aimed at frugal, safety-conscious cruising couples with few pennies and large dreams aboard small vessels on big oceans. Can't afford a fancy parachute sea anchor? Then consider the lowly, widely available automobile tire-even a discarded retread will do. Or deploy a fender. Or toss over a torn sail... How long should you stay in a storm? Why? Should you minimize or maximize your time within? Why? What are some of the critical decisions you'll need to make? Is there a lee shore or do you have plenty of sea room? When is a "favorable current" the worst news possible? What is the one thing you must avoid? Under what circumstance should you, if you want to make more miles downwind, toss your dock fenders overboard? Which is best during an extended blow-bow-on or stern-to? Why? What does the center of lateral resistance have to do with anything? How can ten cents worth of kite string save your life? Why are transoceanic sailors obsessed with hording air? Why, for gosh sake, would anyone immediately take a drink if they thought they were sinking? When is the best, most logical time to heave-to, set a parachute sea anchor off your bow, or deploy a Jordan Series Drogue from your stern? What tools should you carry? Where is every boat's lumberyard located? This book, unlike many, makes definite statements-with no hemming and hawing. It says you should never lay-to or scud. It says parachute retrieval is extremely dangerous. It cautions against any "running set" in mature seas. What about a tennis ball? What do drag queens have to do with it? Do what with burst fenders? When should you happily and gratefully discard the $2,000 worth of storm gear you just purchased? What are the two basic choices as a hurricane approaches? From where do you step into a life raft? Storm Proofing shows you, step-by-step, how to survive a large storm aboard a small vessel on a big ocean-and at the cost of mini-bucks.

A spellbinding tale of maritime disaster, survival, and an absolutely daring rescue from Michael J. Tougias, the author of The Finest Hours, which is now a major motion picture. When a forty-seven-foot sailboat disappears in the Gulf Stream during a disastrous storm, it leaves behind three weary sailors struggling to stay alive on a life raft in the throes of violent waves eighty feet tall. This middle-grade adaptation of an adult nonfiction book tells the story of the four intrepid Coast Guardsmen who braved the sea and this ruthless storm, hoping to rescue the stranded sailors. New York Times bestselling author Michael J. Tougias adapts his histories of real life stories for young readers in his True Rescue Series, capturing the heroism and humanity of people on life-saving missions during maritime disasters. More Thrilling True Rescue Books: The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition) Into the Blizzard (Young Readers Edition) Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition) In Harm's Way (Young Readers Edition) Rescue on the Bounty (Young Readers Edition)

Winner of the Small Business Book Awards from Small Business Trends 2013 The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is among the most demanding sailing competitions in the world. Unpredictable seas make the 628-nautical-mile course grueling under the best conditions, but the 1998 race proved to be the most perilous to date when a sudden and violent storm struck. Winds gusted over 100 mph and monstrous 80-foot waves towered over boat masts. Six sailors perished and another 55 were saved in what became the largest search and rescue operation in Australia's history. In the face of turmoil and tragedy, a crew of "amateur" sailors piloted their tiny vessel, the AFR Midnight Rambler, not only to the finish but to overall victory. While bigger, better-equipped yachts attempted to maneuver around the storm, Ed Psaltis and his crew made the daring decision to head directly into its path. Their triumph--perhaps even their survival--owes itself to an extraordinary level of teamwork: an alchemy of cooperation, trust, planning, and execution. Into the Storm chronicles their nearly four-day ordeal and draws parallels to the world of business, revealing 10 critical strategies for teamwork at the edge. Illustrated with examples from the story and compelling case studies, the book sheds light on what teams need to do to succeed in tough times. Finally, Into the Storm provides resources and tools to support teams as they navigate the chaotic seas of business today.

Chronicles the dramatic true account of the crews of the fishing vessels Fair Wind and Sea Fever, who in 1980 were caught by a deadly Cape Cod storm that resulted in a tenacious three-day struggle for survival. Reprint.

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.