Download or read book Rescue in the Pacific: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in a Force 12 Storm written by Tony Farrington and published by McGraw Hill Professional. This book was released on 1998-03-22 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.