Saved: The Extraordinary Tale of Survival and Rescue in the Southern Ocean

by Tony Bullimore

The dramatic rescue of Tony Bullimore in January 1997 was the exhilarating climax to one of the most remarkable survival stories of modern times. When Bullimore's yacht Exide Challenger capsized in the icy vastness of the Southern Ocean, he had been at sea for two months, competing in the Vendée Globe around-the-world race. Sheltering in a tiny air pocket in the upturned hull, some 2,500 kilometers from the southwest coast of Australia, he now prepared for his loneliest challenge. Saved takes us deep into the trauma of Tony Bullimore¹s ordeal as he unfolds the events of his own past against the dramatic events that, hour by hour for nearly five days, were speeding him ever closer to his fate. Gripping and inspiring, Saved is the story of a true survivor.

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Numidica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read an account of the 1997 Vendee' Globe race in Godforsaken Sea, so I was aware of Tony Bullimore; this is his first person account of being adrift in his disabled boat in the Southern Ocean, and of the rescue effort by the Australian Navy and RAAF. The details of the rescue that was mounted are quite interesting to me, and I do not begrudge the money spent on it; having served in the military, I know that the Navy and Air Force would have spent the funds anyway, just elsewhere in training instead of doing a real rescue, and the Australian Defense Minister said as much. But I do wonder if there shouldn't be tougher standards of construction for boats that race in the Southern Ocean, which is a place that presents forces much greater than normal seas. The boats these sailors are racing are incredibly light for what they are expected to do - Bullimore's boat weighed eight tons and was 60 feet long; my boat, which is admittedly no racer, weighs nine tons and is 37 feet long. Basically, the designers are trying to make the boats as light as possible to increase speed, and they use all sorts of high tech materials to do do that, which is fine, until it's not. The incredible forces of 60 foot waves and 70 knot winds sometimes combine in just the right way to break the carbon fiber structures, especially keels and rudders, to say nothing of masts. Perhaps a requirement in the rules that all boats weigh at least ten tons, or something similar, to increase strength, would make the race safer.

In any event, it was interesting to hear how Tony Bullimore came to a sport which is dominated by Frenchmen. The French are dedicated sportsmen, but their taste in sport is different than other countries' passions - handball, rugby, cycling, and sailing are hugely popular, for example. When the competitors leave the starting line at Les Sables-d'Olonne, hundreds of thousands of French people turn out to cheer them; about 300,000 Francais et Francaises (to use deGaulle's phrase) sail regularly.

Bullimore does a good job explaining, in a mostly non-technical way, the challenges of sailing the Vendee' Globe, and as noted, much of the book is devoted to describing the rescue effort. This was a quick read, and interesting, even if Tony is a bit of a self-promoter (though aren't we all).

[Jiří Brožek · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary story one of the strongest yachtsman ever...

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a thing about reading non-fiction between fiction, and more so I love true story/survivor tales. This would appeal to fans of 'Wild' 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' & 'Into the Jungle' but unlike many survival stories who very often use technical terms and far too detailed explanations that would only be understood by those who have an interest in that particular field, Tony seems to have a way of explaining the situation, and equipment around him in a far more basic way. I know nothing about sailing or yachts but found this highly enthralling and the suspension kept me from putting it down. He also writes in the perspective of those trying to help with the rescue, and his wife, that really gives this story a different and entertaining perspective.

[Leigh Ann Hunker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographical story of a single handed sailing race from England to Antarctica and back. As it can be assumed from the title, not all goes smoothly-at all. The survival and rescue story is all that more amazing because it is true. The author is a bit pompus, but I got over it.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like solo sailing stories. This was a disaster in the southern ocean, 50 foot waves that overturned Bullimore's sailboat. The story describes his survival and rescue. Not great literature but a good read.

[dr stephen wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just reading this for the third time. There's value for money. If you sail you will love this story. Lessons to learn on survival , human endeavour and the tech used for the rescue make this a great read

[Peter Holford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A while since I read this, but loved it!