In an Open Boat: A Journey from Poland to the Americas

By Jerzy Tarasiewicz

Personal account of the experimental voyage in the standard lifeboat. The purpose of the voyage was to advance the techniques of survival at sea. They would wait in the harbor during fine weather,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 097641130X
• ISBN13: 9780976411307
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Ogar Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Remarkable Tribute

Two young men, recent 'Academy' graduates, with the lowly rank of 'Apprentice', take a 30 ft. open wooden lifeboat, carrying basic survival supplies, but without any modern navigational devices, on a voyage that took them from Northern Europe to the island of Martinique in the Caribbean. No, this is not another book about Navy Seals or the Special Boat Service and their tough training and selection methods, but it is the true acount of an amazing voyage completed by the author and his companion, who volunteered to investigate the harsh conditions faced by ship wrecked mariners who were forced to abandon ship in mid ocean and survive in their lifeboats There are enough interesting nautical details concerning questions of navigation and dangerous situations at sea, to satisfy the most avid armchair sailor, as well as many subtly humorous anecdotes concerning the author's frequent confrontations with " monkey brained" government officials, or his deviously "remarkable success" in avoiding selection for the Soviet Naval War College. This is a fascinating account and a remarkable tribute to a whole generation of Polish maritime trainees and officers whose indomitable spirit was in no way discouraged by the repressive regime under which they were obliged to serve. J. Toal.

An unbelievable accomplishment

This shows the reason so many of the worlds large ocean going ships have Polish captains. Although Irish myself, and from a family that produced captains in the clipper ship days, I doubt any of them would cross the Atlantic in an open lifeboat, with absolutely minimal supplies, putting out on purpose in storms to make a point..you can survive, on your own skills and knowledge. Not just the Atlantic, the brutal seas off of England, and the storms off of Africa. Perhaps the "help" given by the French navy is the best reading of all, or the anticipation of siting mid atlantic islands (Or NOT!) , when navigating by old celestial methods (Did we miss them? You can feel the tension!) No radio , either, for those who believe in "just in case" ...and the pride in a rigorous Polish Marine education shows through, at every turn A first class read; I wish it were more widely known...