Overboard!: A True Blue-water Odyssey of Disaster and Survival

by Michael J. Tougias

A true story of disaster at sea from the author of Fatal Forecast and Finest Hours.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Audiobook, Survival, History, Nature, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 18, 2010

About the author

Adventure is the theme that runs through most of my books, from outdoors titles (The Connecticut River from Source to Sea, Exploring the Hidden Charles) to fiction (Until I Have No Country) to nonfiction sea rescues (Overboard! A Storm Too Soon, Rescue of the Bounty).
One of my current adventures is waiting to see if Disney will begin filming a movie-length version of the Coast Guard rescue book The Finest Hours. Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends have been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) but I think they just want me to revise their characters so they don't look so dumb!

Reviews

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tougias has carved out a nice little niche for himself in the non-fiction market with another story about peril and rescue at sea. This time it's the true life tale about the rescue of the crew of a small sailboat en route to the Bahamas (...a three-hour tour, a three-hour tour...) that encounters a ferocious storm as it nears the Gulf Stream warm water current. Tougias's writing style is workmanlike, a bit on the bland side, but it gets the job done.

[Kristan Higgins]

I love me a good disaster at sea story, boy howdy! This is indeed just that…a bunch of sailors, three of them ridiculously inexperienced, and the mistakes they made that led to a nightmare struggle to survive. But it was very drawn out, and the ending was pretty awful. The author tried to force you to like the characters, and it’s clear he was going for a vibe similar to The Perfect Storm. I just didn’t engage as much as I thought I would, and the book’s narrator didn’t help.

However…wow, what a story! I hope it’s made into a movie, because for a non-sailor, I only finished this through sheer grit. So if you like this sort of thing, the experiences recounted definitely deliver. But if you’re not a sailor, it’s only okay.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a testament to Michael Tougias's writing that he so well captures the human spirit and resolve for survival in Overboard! : a true bluewater odyssey of disaster and survival. This is a book that I could not put down and yet it is not a book I can say I loved. How do you love a book with tragic results?

Overboard is the story of Captain Tom Tighe and his first mate Loch Reidy, who with three novice crew members set sail aboard the Almeisan for a five-day voyage from Connecticut to Bermuda. One of those rougue storms that no one can predict nor quite explain swept the Captain and Loch overboard and leaving the 3 inexperienced sailors to learn the ropes or sink.

Heroes? I never quite know who to give this title. If there are heroes, certainly our United States Coast Guard rescue team deserves this name. The same goes for the Filipino Merchant Ship who also raced to the disabled Almeisan without regard for their own lives. There were times while reading Overboard where I could not bear to read anymore of the storm's savage attack on these people. I cried. But I needed to press on to hear their fate. Can you imagine being two specks in the sea, so alone, waving a strobe light, hoping for someone to see you, as Tom Tighe and Loch Reidy were? Tougias's description of Loch's plight will always be with me. What wills these men and women to continue on under unsurmountable odds? and what compels other men and women to put their own lives in jeopardy to save their fellow men?

If I've ever thought of crewing on a sailboat this book could dampen my desire. And yet, the love of the sea, the smell of the ocean, the journey, the teamwork of raising the sails and the freedom from the land life, come through loud and clear. This is a not to be missed experience!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in two days while camping in Oklahoma. It was very difficult to put down, and that's after an entire winter of reading nothing but natural disaster stories and survival stories.

Tougias expertly covered the emotional turmoil of so many different people; you could tell he spent a great amount of time and care collecting their stories, listening, and understanding. Never did the author seem judgmental, although, in this case it seemed that everyone performed exemplarily. Tougias especially excelled at weaving other stories from the same storm into the narrative. These stops to see what was happening elsewhere drew the story along, but never forced it to be longer than it was. It allowed the reader to see the huge impact of the storm and how far it stretched across the coast.

I have the greatest admiration any time I read these for our Coast Guard’s search and rescue efforts, from the rescue divers to the people that help deploy and coordinate other civilian ships in the area to help. On the sea, everyone that can help will help it seems, and the Coast Guard has put so much time and research into finding the most effective ways to communicate internationally for the protection of people on the coastal waters.


To read my review of my Natural Disaster Themed read which included 10 different disaster books click link: Here!

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tougias offers another chilling tale of two separate boats requiring two separate, terrifying rescues.

With his wonderful writing style, I read each word, 'seeing' every second of activity described. I felt intimately acquainted with each storm victim and rescuer through Togias' wonderful explanations and knowledge of storms, boating, the Coast Guard, etc.

With these two amazing stories of danger and courage, there is information that I would never have the opportunity to know, except for reading this book. The body loses heat 24X faster in water than in air of the same temperature. Rescue swimmers are trained to enter treacherous, lethal waters in an effort to rescue complete strangers! Sometimes the only choice left in deadly circumstances is to simply not do anything to make the situation worse. The body typically has a set number of hours that it can sustain life under periods of dehydration, starvation and sleeplessness. However, the mind and a strong will can extend this otherwise limited time period. This can be lifesaving, and it was, for the last man plucked alive from the angry sea.

Tougias offers a detailed account of the several days and nights that comprise this book. He does so with honor and respect for all those involved; the rescuers, the rescued, and for Captain Tighe, especially.

I woke early today to finish reading this book. It was difficult to abandon the last surviving sailor last night. I couldn't stay away from him for too long. The last dozen or more pages were read through tears. Each chapter carried me, breathless, into the following chapter, hoping with all my heart that the ending would mean rescue for this final victim and for the precious Captain Tighe.

I strongly recommend this book. It's for everyone, whether you're a landlubber or the ocean-loving sort. It doesn't matter. The tale is about danger, courage, respect, and triumph, something to which we can all relate. The lessons here are not just for ocean tragedies. They can be appreciated and incorporated into all our lives.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Couldn't put this down (finished in 1 day)! This non-fiction book reads like fiction, and I had to keep asking myself what I would do if it were I in that situation. Don't think for a minute that Mother Nature is not the one in control on the open ocean.

[Beth Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me on the edge of my seat. I could feel those 50 ft waves as well as each sailor's excitement, fear, despair, joy and sadness.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tail of some stupid sailers who classically thought a storm was not going to be as bad as it was. Got in way over their head and made it out live to sail again.

Long story short, Sail to a tropical island, whether getting bad, we can make it, nope, washed off the boat, get spotted, hard to rescue, get rescued, get treated as a hearo for being too dumb to die.

Don't get me wrong it was an entertaining book but it overplayed the "I'm a sailor, I can survive anything" and "I know everything about the sea"

Ok for a short book just tried to be to technical

[Ceeceereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars. Absolutely unable to put down. Cosy nights spent on the sofa, reading by candlelight with my favourite herbal tea, head buried in this book, utterly aghast by this horrifying and very scary true story. Excellent writing, a thorough and detailed account that did not let my attention go for one iota of a second. I couldn’t ask for much more.

[Cynthia Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would really rate this as a 4.5. At times, the author gets caught up in details that detract from the story.

The story is incredible. One person I shared the story with stated that it should be made into a movie.

There are so many different heroes in this story.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner! I was wrapped up in it and wanted to know what happened next. It's one of those books where you say to yourself late at night "okay, one more chapter before I go to bed." Several chapters later, you find yourself saying the same thing and it's a chore to put the book down and call it a night. Michael Tougias is a very good writer. The story in itself is riveting, but his writing style paints the picture and you feel like your right there watching everything happen. You will not be disappointed should you choose to read this book. I will definitely read more of his books.

Friends know that I want to start sailing, and they thought I was nuts reading this. I said it would be good to understand what happened so that I'd know what helped save the people on the boats. There were a few tips that I pulled out, such as throw a pair of goggles into your ditch bag!

[Debra Daniels-Zeller · Rating 4 out of 5]

If sailing makes you uneasy maybe you better not read this because this is one scary story. I didn't choose this book because like boats, but I do like exciting survival stories and this one was an edge-of-your-seat story. Tom Tighe and first mate Loch Reidy along with three other people attempted to cross the Gulf Stream to Bermuda in a 45-foot sail boat, the Almeisan. Tom, the captain, had made this trip many times, but they left earlier than usual and hit rough weather with huge waves. Tom eventually decides they need to abandon ship, and after a big wave hits, Loch end up in the water and in rough weather, rescue attempts were frightening. Tougia's vivid descriptions made this book a great story of survival.

[Cori McGraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting.

I picked this up as an audiobook from the local library for a long car trip, and I found myself at times driving an extra lap around the block, or taking the "long way" route give because I couldn't bear to arrive at my destination without hearing a few minutes more of what happens next in this book.

I love nonfiction, as I find these tales of coping with and overcoming adversity tremendously inspiring. I'm telling you, listen to this tale of being lost at sea on the drive over the gym, and you will no longer feel sorry for yourself when your muscles are screaming in a mere one-hour workout.

Highly recommended.

[Pbwritr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. Neither could my husband. It's only 200 pages, but these pages pack a wallop in intensity of emotion! Two different sailboats in the midst of the worst hurricane on the East Coast (2005) encounter problems. It is utterly amazing what some people can go through to survive. I thought Loch was a phenomenal individual. READ THE BOOK! My desire for blue-water sailing is now completely nil!

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

You won’t be able to stop to eat or sleep!

Overboard is one of the most stirring reads that characterizes the word “ Cliffhanger”. First book I ever read that made me realize that I was holding my breath. And, now breathe, became my mantra.
If you enjoy ocean, sailing, outdoors, real people in desperate situations, and sheer, realistic, personal terror; this book is a great read. Well written author Tougias - Kudos for a fine read.
rr

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, I couldn’t put this down! I should have known about this incident since my husband did 5 Newport to Bermuda races but I was not. This book gave me a headache everyday I read it. Micheal did a beautiful job telling this harrowing experience. Anyone that likes to sail should read this book! Or people who like nonfiction…or truly anyone. I’d give it 10 stars if I could!

[Nancy Glaz]

awesome! I'm not a sailor, but this is an incredible story. a must read

[Veronique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

Extremely well written, this incredible true life experience draws you so deeply you can almost imagine yourself there. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Tim Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Tougias is the master of seaborne disaster. He seems to have researched every fateful mariner decision that resulted in shipwrecks and crews lost as sea and is able to turn it into a hair-raising tale in the “sufferfest” genre.

This is a classic sufferfest: the story of two sailboats caught in the same 2005 storm and the harrowing rescues of both crews. The main star of this tale is the Almesian, which, with a crew of 5, set out from Connecticut for Bermuda. They never made it. Warned by a passing boat of rough seas ahead, the crew pressed on to Bermuda and were caught in 50-60 foot seas that battered their boat, turned it turtle once (though it righted itself) and summarily threw two of the crew into the sea; unfortunately those two were the Captain and First Mate.

The Coast Guard’s heroic rescue of the remaining three an ultimate fate of the two “overboard” takes up the bulk of the book and is well worth the time.

The book reads so very much like “The Rescue of the Bounty” a tall ship who tried to sail around a hurricane on nearly the same route seven years later, I found myself at times wondering if I haven’t read this book before.

Three main lessons:

First, DON’T SAIL INTO A DEEP LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM! How hard is that to learn?

Second, the Coast Guard is awesome.

Third, Gordon Lightfoot captured the fury of the seas as no other poet has in “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” with this line: “Does anyone know where the love of God goes / When the waves turn the minutes to hours…” The song resounds on one’s head in a book like this. Of course, the love of God goes nowhere; it still is present in the wind and waves but those subject to them can be forgiven for asking the question.

Great read.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally well crafted yarn. To be honest, I've not ever found sea disaster stories all that interesting, the Titanic included.
With this one, it's all in the way it's told. The 'camera' is held close to the various participants - those caught in the storm and the challenges faced by rescuers. A shifting viewpoint can be problematic, but somehow Tougias shifts focus with ease, still keeping the narrative fairly linear, and providing just the right amount of detail as he goes. The result is an exceptional number of emotional highs and lows as the storm, and then the rescue unfolds. I guess the cliche is that 'you are there' as the story unfolds.
There's a degree of additional information about sharks, the Portuguese man of war, naval history, the sea rescue grid, various kinds of equipment - all woven in with an economy of words, and avoiding becoming tedious. (If you've read the 20-30 pages in Moby Dick about how rope is coiled in a whaler, you'll know what I mean.)
I also liked the longer denouement. So many stories end exactly at the point of rescue, and one is left curious about what happened after.

[Trebor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Great book about some very brave and daring people. While reading this I was struck by the fact that these Coast Guard people do life saving actions in the worst circumstances, as a common occurrence. These are some of the great things about our country. The unselfish devotion to duty, and fearless performance under pressure that deserves our respect and honor. I love sea adventure books of all kinds and this is right up there with some of the best. A real page turner as so many reviewers have said. Loved it and highly recommend this book to readers who like adventure stories. Thanks Goodreads for the recommendation.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction book focuses on the fate of the sailboat Almeisan, which left Connecticut in May 2005 for what was supposed to be a 5-day pleasure and training cruise to Bermuda. The boat and its sailors got caught in an early-season storm that was near hurricane strength, and spread across a huge part of the eastern seaboard, so that they were not able to sail out of it. What happens next, how the sailors coped and adapted, how most survived, and the incredible efforts made by multiple rescuers, is an interesting and amazing story. I started this book very late Saturday night and finished it on Sunday. Truly a page turner!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set at sea off the Eastern US coast. 224 pp. Harrowing story of the rescue of Loch Reidy, who was washed overboard during a violent storm in the ocean. There are two additional rescues described: Reidy’s shipmates plus two people from another ship.

Overboard!: A True Blue-water Odyssey of Disaster and Survival

[Nelson C Walker II · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/28/18 Was given to me 10/19/2010 by Lisa, Z, D,W&G. Finally had time to read in retirement.
Outstanding, gripping could be read again. About 45ft sailboat, Almeisan, caught in a very large low pressure storm. Crew was sailing from Bridgeport, CT to Bermuda. Five crew on board.

First part of book but beginning Chapter 5 about another sailboat, the At Ease, with 2 crew aboard caught in same storm. The were going to participate in the the Charleston to Bermuda race.

[John Taussig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival is truly amazing

Good book and we'll written from a sailing point of view. Ocean is unforgiving and never takes a break. The strength of character both of these crews is tremendous. Tremendous and rightful credit given to Coast Guard and other mariners who joined in the rescue.

[Patrick Wikstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fighting for your lives at sea- Story about a 2005 super storm that caught a couple of yachts crossing the Gulf Stream at the wrong time and wrecked both boats. Written in that exciting- edge of your seat style that I like from time to time. Not everyone makes it but there’s a lot of heroism described as you would expect in a book like this. Audible - 3***

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened to see this book on display in the Public Library and picked it up thinking it would be another good adventure tale. Oh my word.... I couldn't put it down and I also could hardly read it at the same time because of the fear and tension I carried as I felt the same emotions as the people involved. Whew!!! What a great book! Highly recommend!

[Pat Hollingsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often use Audible to lull me to sleep at night, so when this one popped up I thought, oh good, nice listening to the crash of waves in the ocean and imagining all that space. Boy, was I wrong! I was so riveted that I stayed up half the night mesmerized. Top-notch adventure plus you learn about sailing and the Gulf Stream which was super interesting.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to audio version for 2023 Reading challenge: Transportation. This was great to listen to, it was the true story of 5 people on a sailboat caught in a major storm. I had some worries I would get confused as I have no sailing experience but it was written well and I had no problems following along while driving.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!

I cruise often to Bermuda and have often thought I’d love to sail there from NY. Not so much after this read. I am amazed at the bravery of the sailors in this book. I couldn’t put it down.