Overboard! A True Bluewater Odyssey of Disaster, Survival, and Inspiration   

Join Michael Tougias, author of "Overboard" for a story based on the 2010 book from Simon and Schuster that the Boston Globe called "Heart-pounding."  Tougias will use slides of the storm, the sinking sailboat, the crew, and the rescue missions to bring this story to life.

In early May of 2005, Captain Tom Tighe and first mate Loch Reidy of the sailboat Almeisan welcome three new crewmembers for a five day voyage from Connecticut to Bermuda.  Tighe has made this bluewater trip 48 times, and Reidy has joined him 20 times.  Each year they take three additional paying passengers who seek to learn about offshore sailing and are looking for adventure.  This year the crew consists of 46-year-old Kathy Gilcrest, 70-year-old Ron Burd, and 34-year-old Chris Ferrer.

Four days into their voyage a massive storm strikes and Captain Tighe and first mate Loch Reidy are swept from the boat during a knockdown and are carried away by huge seas.  The three new crewmembers- the least experienced of the group- somehow remain on the vessel as it is torn apart by the seas.  "Overboard" follows the simultaneous desperate struggles of both the crew on the boat and the Captain and first mate in the sea.  The presentation is suitable for all ages. The Instructor for this couse will be presenting live from a remote location.