She also found a sextant a navigational instrument first used by mariners 250 years ago which she had been trained to use. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Survivor/Author Tami Oldham Ashcraft talks logic versus emotion, discussing her thoughts with the lead actress and her fears and stamina to be able to survive in Heres why. At times she thought madness had set in, when she hallucinated land that was not there. Fact-checking the Adrift movie reveals that after Hurricane Raymond struck and claimed the life of her fianc Richard Sharp, Tami Oldham remained stranded at sea on the damaged yacht for 41 days. -Mirror Online How did Tami Oldham survive being stranded for a month and a half on the yacht? "I have waited 34 years to see my story made into a feature film," Tami told CountryLiving.com following the film's release. LOS ANGELES Shailene Woodley says the experience of shooting on the open ocean during the making of Adrift was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I really try to live in the now and absorb as much as I can and be happy. Directed by Baltasar Kormkur, from a screenplay by Aaron and Jordan Kandell and David Branson Smith, based on a book by Tami Oldham Ashcraft and Susea McGearhart. By the time she wrote her book, Tami had settled in San Juan Island, Washington, married, and had two daughters. Why did you decide to write this book and why did you wait so long after your ordeal to start writing it? With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. happy lovers Tami and Richard, Fear. 100 minutes. In 1983, engaged couple Tami Oldham-Ashcraft and Richard Sharp set off from Tahiti to deliver a yacht to San Diego. But my life moved on and I got married, and while I was having my first child I decided that it was time to write the book. 35 years later, incredible story of survival at sea to hit the Join Facebook to connect with Tammy Oldham and others you may know. A. Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. But the battle wasn't over for Tami. Spoilers for the movie to follow. My main message is that knowledge is key for any kind of extreme sports that women get involved in. The couple, both avid sailors, had decided to take a break from pleasure sailing in Sharp's 36-foot sailboat, Mayaluga, to take a job delivering a 44-foot yacht, Hazana, from Tahiti to San Diego. Already have a commenting profile? More than a decade later, in 1998, Tami self-published her memoir, which Hyperion Press republished in 2002 and Dey Street Books re-released under the movie's title in 2018. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tami Oldham-Ashcraft wrote a book about her horrifying ordeal, Red Sky In Mourning: A True Story Of Love, Loss, and Survival At Sea, which was the basis for the film. Navigating manually using just a sextant and watch, and surviving on peanut butter and canned food, she sailed 1,500 miles in 41 days to reach safety in Hilo, Hawaii. The ocean was as much their home as the land was, and at times, it felt even more so. It saved my life.. Realising she did not have enough supplies to last her until the US mainland, she set course for the nearest land, Hawaii. AK^W/^#N The then 23-year-old Ashcraft accompanied him on the crossing. v=?LPsXR[iYx^a."5xbI\ OI9agla0! I just really had a hard time. Tami Lee Oldham Ashcraft is an American sailor and author who, in 1983, survived 41 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. The film is based on the memoir of Tami Oldham Ashcraft who endured a devastating hurricane on a sailing trip with her fiance Richard Sharp in 1983 and was stranded at sea for 41 days. Waking up badly injured after being knocked unconscious by the storm, Oldham-Ashcraft navigated over 1,500 miles alone with just a sextant and watch, surviving on canned food and peanut butter until she reached the safety of Hilo, HI. Red Sky in Mourning is the story of Tami Oldham Ashcraft's 41-day journey to safety, which she survived through fortitude and sheer strength of character. In September 1983, 23-year-old Tami Oldham Ashcraft's future seemed as idyllic as the South Pacific islands she and her fiance, Richard Sharp, had been cruising for the past six months. I held so much of this in for so long. . Enter your email and password to access comments. Tami must find a way to keep the vessel afloat and sail her fianc to safety. Now looking back, at times I really needed some professional help.". By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A. .css-2x3ibz{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Kepler,Helvetica,Arial,Serif;font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:normal;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-2x3ibz:hover{color:link-hover;}}Singer Bonnie Raitt Reveals "Medical Situation", Why Luke Bryan Called Out Taylor Swift on TikTok, 24 Celebrities Reveal Their Favorite Books, Here's the Most Haunted Place in Every State, Book to Movie Adaptations Coming Out in 2023, The Best Independent Bookstore in Every State, Get to Know HGTV Stars Dave and Jenny Marrs, See Kelly Reilly's Post About Yellowstone Co-Star, Read Erin Napier's Post about 'Home Town'. Down below the deck, where Richard had just sent her to rest, Tami was knocked unconscious. "It saved my life," Tami told the San Diego Union Tribune of the navigational device, a diamond-encrusted replica of which she now wears around her neck. I was never going to fall in love again., Actually, while I was in the survival mode, the grief was fairly low, she continued. It does not store any personal data. I'm passionate about it. Woodley plays the part of Tami, who was only 23 when the incident happened. Did anyone ever suggest that you receive counseling to deal with your trauma? I did pull on my resourcefulness, too. I just really had a hard time. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Now looking back, at times I really needed some professional help. based on her true story of survival in Category-four Hurricane in 1983, Sister: Cousin: Chelsea Reinhart Pavloff & Claire Bullas, Daughter: Brook Ashcraft and Kelli Ashcraft, Your email address will not be published. I just put it on the back burner. WebTammy Oldham is on Facebook. The first three weeks of the voyage were pure happiness and freedom. Q. Using a broken pole and a storm jib, Ashcraft fashioned a makeshift sail and managed to pump the water out of the cabin. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Tami Oldham talks Adrift and her own story of love and survival 39,235 views Jan 21, 2019 282 Dislike Share Save Scott D. Menzel 3.35K subscribers Scott Twice ships appeared in the distance but their crews did not see the distress flares Tami sent into the sky. She created a makeshift sail and rigged up a way to pump water from the cabin. He insisted she take cover below deck while he tried to steer the Hazana to safety, then gave her a reassuring wink as she headed downwards. How did this experience change your life? Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Here's an excerpt of Oldham Ashcraft's book, from a New Zealand Herald review: Yup in real life, Oldham-Ashcraft's boyfriend Richard Sharp was swept overboard during the storm, never to be seen again, while the film has him alive and acting as the main motivation for Oldham-Ashcraft to find her way back to civilization. But Tami Oldham Ashcraft didnt have time to grieve over her presumed-dead fianc. It was later translated into eight languages, published in fifteen countries and has now been made into a movie, appropriately titled Adrift. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Richard and Tami, played by Sam Claflin and Shailene Woodley, look worried as hurricane approaches, Fury . A search of the drier cabin revealed a sextant and a watch, the only tools that had survived, and the ones she would use to navigate to the closest landmass the 1,500-mile-away island of Hilo, Hawaii. How old is Tami Oldham Ashcraft? There was no closure for me then. About three weeks in, the hurricane hit. Sam Claflin stars as Richard. Join Facebook to connect with Tami Oldham and others you may know. In the preview for the film, Richard appears to be living (although it's unclear if he is really there or simply a vision), but sadly the real Richard died; he is believed to have been thrown from Hazana when it capsized. It has everything: love, adventure, survival, tragedy, and in the end, hope.". Tami, now 58, still believes his spirit helped guide her to safety. Its a woman learning how to work with nature to survive.. People want to convince me it was God, but I don't know. There were times I didnt even want to live any more because I didnt know how I was going to go on.. From this the movie Adrift was made, and I love the way my story is told and woven like a tapestry. I talked to him all the time. In interviews, Tami Oldham Ashcraft has said that the parallels between the film and what happened are incredibly accurate. It was 1983, and, just as the trailer depicts, Tami and Richard were engaged and in loveboth with each other and with the water, which they had called home for six months of sailing in their boat, the Mayaluga. In September 1983, 23-year-old American sailor Tami Oldham Ashcraft set to sea for a 31-day crossing from Tahiti to San Diego, California. She was with her British fianc Richard Sharp, and delivering luxury yacht, Hazana . 20 days into the journey, they were caught in a Category 4 hurricane, bringing with it 15m waves and 150mph winds. But that survival instinct [while at sea] just kicked in. Q. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. For more than a month and 1,500 miles, Tami sailed alone, guided by what she calls her "inner spirit." Time: September-November 1983.On September 22, 1983, Tami Oldham and fianc Richard Sharp set sail from Tahiti to San Diego on the Hazana, a 44 ft Trintella sailing yacht. There was plenty of work to be done. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The safety harness was dangling in the water, but Ashcrafts fianc was nowhere to be found. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Truth is my jam, Woodley said. A. Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. Filming on the movie began just three months after the loss of her daughter but brave Tami still decided to visit the set. When they did, 40-foot waves and 140-mile-per-hour winds descended on the tiny vessel. And it really made me prioritize, which is something I learned. It became more than me fighting for my character as an actor, it was about fighting for the integrity of the whole project from start to finish,. Moments later American Tami heard Richard, 34, cry out: Oh my God. The yacht was sinking, the sails were shot, and she had a gash on her forehead that was increasingly painful. Scrambling above deck, she discovered Sharp's safety line dangling over the end of the boat, but he was gone. An incredible tale, yes, but believe it or not, it's actually based on a true storyand the 2002 memoir written by Tami herself titled Red Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Love, Loss and Survival at Sea (which has since been re-released by Dey Street Books as Adrift). Older videos Playing now 10:39 There were times I didn't even want to live anymore because I didn't know how I was going to go on. e6 EIgf("l=f$||( *B=C#CobSTPQn. Your email address will not be published. I really felt the energy of the divine soulmate connection between Tami and her fiance.. When she came to 27 hours later Richard was gone and she was all alone on the ocean, up to her waist in water on the wrecked yacht. A. Her story inspired the 2018 film Adrift. Despite being experienced sailors, they hit a record-breaking hurricane out at sea that devastated them. Definitely the hardest part was dealing with Richard being gone, Ashcraft told the Chicago Tribune in her first interview about her experience after her book was published. She heard it again when, desperate to get out of the flooded yacht, she prepared to set off in the Sharp, however, was gone. I kind of parallel [the hurricane] to being in a car accident. Tami recalled: While I was in survival mode, the grief was fairly low. After a literary agent discovered her book, it was published last year by Hyperion Press after an intense bidding war among the same publishers who had originally turned down her manuscript. A. Not so much. Ashcraft surmises the waves and wind were so powerful that Sharp was jerked out of his safety tether and swept overboard. In September 1983, 23-year-old Ashcraft and her fianc, Sharp, took a job sailing the yacht Hazana to San Diego, a journey of more than 4,000 miles. What was the hardest part of your ordeal? Though she still carries the memory of her experience and her fianc with her every day, shes gotten married, has two children, and is the picture of happiness. For the next 41 days, Tami Oldham Ashcraft would be alone, adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, fighting to survive. Class of 1977. She heard: Never leave the boat. She recounts her terrifying ordeal in her memoir "Red Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Love, Loss and Survival at Sea" (Hyperion, $23.95). It would be impossible to not be authentic given the circumstances.. They had been hired by the boat's new owner to deliver it to San Diego, California. So any deviations from the sailor's lived experience are intentional, and done with her approval. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It said: Dont give up, love.. But it definitely made me a lot more cautious.". To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. But it definitely made me a lot more cautious. Adrift opens in theaters nationwide on Friday. . She talks about Shailene Woodley playing her and how Richards body was never found, but Tami took his belongings to his parents back in England. Known For: Celebrity. Less than 2 weeks later, they were trapped in Hurricane Raymonds path-pounding rain, 140 knot winds, and skyscraper-sized waves. In October of 1983, a friend approached the couple and asked if they would deliver a 44-foot yacht, Hazana, from Tahiti to San Diego. The couple set sail from Papeete Harbor on September 22. . Ashcraft believes that the force of the wind was just too strong and that he must have been thrown into the sea and pulled beneath the massive swells. Tami then investigated further and realised the yacht wasnt letting in any more water. I had always wanted to write it. The film has her coming to and finding Richard badly injured, leaving her the only one able to operate and repair the yacht, which she does under Richard's guidance. Don't have a commenting profile? .css-1b2q3vo{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#CDE5F0;font-family:Gotham,Georgia,Times,Sans-serif;font-size:0.70028rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;padding:0.9375rem 1.25rem 0.9rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-1b2q3vo:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:#0A5C80;background-color:#CDE5F0;-webkit-filter:contrast(0.9);filter:contrast(0.9);}.css-1b2q3vo:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}BUY TICKETS See when Adrift is playing near you. Today, Ashcraft lives on San Juan Island off the coast of Washington, where she still sails regularly. In the most profound way, it made me really appreciate life. P10yE%SWz"wU}=*0llo9)KT~j'r[RaMKZ%n=UM7UY ["E'!sy_$T2 :ks+$Lar6%qMU (),@Rs\}b>kxM:I vc@N@'5 \2sDOc9&nMYGN) &o \pHv0Vi_4bm\dT@jK'dC#L#Lppz@v ` F]YK`M6R8ebJ!jd2 1z$\&TL#) GITc |1B>=.xzuuCez8Q^ZX]#/EUtJxmQ2Jr"K~;zd 6&d_Vy>eVM%i#%`HodwXVDveeD?`lh)rz6}aYb<2l[;iGNW%CI-{0~q5}*5;/I^ bN*+ 5hyF^@SOP!dK*[*i #,46EN]}4Ak__"1tqu I was never going to fall in love again. There were times I didnt even want to live anymore because I didnt know how I was going to go on. Coming to theaters June 1, the movie Adrift is based on a terrifying real-life story of survival. She was then thrown against the side, knocking her unconscious. So traumatizing was the ordeal, it was six years before she could even read a book--and even longer before she could put her own memories down on paper. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Despite changing course to avoid it, the storm followed them, forcing the couple to combat 40-foot waves and 140-knot winds, according to the Chicago Tribune. A. I think it was my inner spirit, quite frankly. &I> H, B,Y@r*(u"LPWruqWbjF/6A`?'KQi2|1Drf=1vkYsxe.dU5ZA;:dO[A'Z0=zO}mYXbkB_3 G~Du"fU%!0]vC2b>7 @0X9H^qpH8 -{fZm`A L$F5iNMEdT\d$`E! Her real-life ordeal was depicted in the 2018 film, Adrift . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page. A. I just love it. Next, read about the worst natural disasters of the 21st century. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. This content is imported from youTube. But 20 days in to their dream voyage, a hurricane struck whipping up waves as tall as skyscrapers. Stay in the know with local, state and national political news delivered to your inbox every Friday. "Definitely the hardest part was dealing with Richard being gone," Tami told the Tribune. It was a tribute to him.". In the book you talk about an inner voice that guided and helped you. But Ashcraft's dream of a happy future with Richard was destroyed when they got caught in a hurricane less than three weeks into their journey. Weak, hungry, and on the verge of a mental breakdown, the then 23-year-old sustained herself with only peanut butter and canned food, until she arrived safely in Hilo, Hawaii. I really had to keep determined that I wasn't going to die. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. You will receive an email to complete the registration. WebTami Oldham is on Facebook. Her fianc was gone and her boat was badly damaged, the result of an unexpected category-four hurricane. Critics have given Woodley positive reviews for her ability to capture the dire reality of the moment. The navigation station is in pieces. For other inquiries, Contact Us. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. {:37d7Jw.5v888]Gn{J3SRazuv2fDi*I,Ca^y+/im 'T2JBlEb" The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Her book is now available in 15 countries and eight languages. H ,',:}{(hG&!G?W!ra(ca%C YouTubeHazana after it was towed into the harbor at Hilo. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Though her experience was harrowing, and without a doubt a traumatic one, Tami Oldham Ashcraft eventually found solace by writing her story down. I was never going to fall in love again. When she awoke 27 hours later, she was in the cabin of their 44-foot yacht, laying in several feet of water, surrounded by debris. WebThis Tami Oldham Ashcraft interview features the real woman who lived the experience depicted in the Adrift movie. YouTubeTami Oldham Ashcraft after her trip. She settled in Washington state and in 1994 married property developer Ed Ashcraft. Tami Oldham Ashcraft and Richard Sharp, just before setting out on their fateful trip. For those worried that the movie of Adrift is just another case of Hollywood tweaking tragedy for more melodrama, Oldham-Ashcraft was deeply involved in the film's creation from day one. Graduated in my Junior year. == 1983 shipwreck == In 1983, Ashcraft's then-fianc, 34-year-old British sailor Richard Sharp, was hired to ferry the 13-metre yacht Hazaa from Tahiti to San Diego. She said: I think Richard was definitely with me, that he was helping guide me and being there with me because we shared such a passion for each other and for life. I really wish I had taken the time to do that. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Ashcraft wrote a memoir about her experience at sea shortly after the incident, but shes been waiting for it to come together on film for 34 years. RNLI Shop - Adrift: Tami Oldham AshcraftS Tale of Surviving A Hurric She self-published her book in 1998 after several publishers had rejected it. Q. But that survival instinct [while at sea] just kicked in. But no Richard. It reminds me of how I got home. Shailene Woodley as brave Tami, reviewed here by Sun film critic Jamie East, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Let's start with the film's official synopsis: It sounds like an earnest and romantic story, but accurate? Tami Oldham Ashcraft Career. Amazingly, she never stopped sailing. As she closed the door, she heard Sharp shout oh my god! before the boat capsized. Sharp insisted that Ashcraft board herself up below deck, while he secured himself in the safety harness. Katie Serena is a New York City-based writer and a staff writer at All That's Interesting. Hazana after it was towed into the harbor at Hilo. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Having been sailing around the globe for the past 6 months, the pair decided to take a break from their 36-foot sailboat and instead take a job delivering a 44-foot yacht named Hazana from Tahiti to San Diego. The last thing Tami Oldham Ashcraft remembered before being knocked unconscious was hearing her fianc scream. The force threw Ashcraft against the wall, knocking her unconscious. But finally she approached Hawaiis Hilo harbour and soon she was on land, safe and overwhelmed with the horror of her ordeal. Tami Oldham Ashcraft (L) and daughter (R) at the, The Crushing True Story Behind 'Adrift'and How Tami Oldham Ashcraft Survived at Sea, True Story of the Cuddling Couple from 'Titanic', Singer Bonnie Raitt Reveals "Medical Situation". Only the real-life version is even more heartbreaking. WebSurvivor/Author Tami Oldham Ashcraft talks logic versus emotion, discussing her thoughts with the lead actress and her fears and stamina to be able to survive in regards to the new film based on her harrowing ordeal crossing The Pacific in 1983 starring Shailene Woodley: "Adrift". Tami Oldham remained unconscious for 27 hours after hitting her head when the boat capsized during the hurricane. The severe head injury is visible on Shailene Woodley's character in the 2018 movie. At first, the Adrift movie seems to unfold differently than the true story. How tall is Tami Oldham Ashcraft? I just really had a hard time. Shailene, 26, said of the true-life survival story reviewed here by Sun film critic Jamie East, which took place in 1983: I was so captivated by it, by who Tami is and the love story. It wasn't as intense as when I got to shore and the survival was over, and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. U-i}%y- OdY)x,akD| g )QlOZcX7ao3KP1t`q_w[lqrl:z~?wa2}wNG82(z(K(CZUx~,7 p9kHNYjC~HTlhWez+`D*0}44*#-x~;xH}I_1d4IV>b" +Tjoc1KZd7h4qasa(H'ZCxH"8t6|U/J&NBL8EtrZsbYp"V8FJ5V&m9liS! (iESCIyh$H%"tXYn#xtwB1q2+MTjYs x.bhDW49[ DVFL_4d.-KceB?mD|/i0?6y(FFfY4d((T1.\DKb6'iRC]Ip D P>_eIej This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. "No one ever suggested it, but I wish I had [gotten counseling] because I definitely had some severe post-traumatic stress syndrome," Tami explained to the Chicago newspaper. "Come sail with me," goes the first line of the trailer for the .css-1e1wdvt{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#0A5C80;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1e1wdvt:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:#0A5C80;}new movie Adrift, delivered dreamily by Sam Claflin, who stars in the film opposite Shailene Woodley. Before you go, check out gear, try to go to classes and become passionate in what you want to do. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. You get back in the car or, like they say, back on the horse. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code. How did you find the courage to sail again? Mother: Donna Goulet (Stepmother) Brother: Matt Sharp (Cousin) Then she heard a voice Richards voice. However (major spoilers ahead), the movie does reveal towards the end that Sharp did actually die early on, and that it was really just his spirit that gave Oldham-Ashcraft the strength she needed to survive her 42-day ordeal. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more Tami Oldham reveals the harrowing experience of when her dream adventure turned into a real life nightmare. As you might guess from the title, and what any glance at interviews with Oldham-Ashcraft will quickly reveal, is that the film decided to make one glaring revision. It helped me to focus, to keep myself on track. Together they sailed a yacht Richard had built himself to Tahiti, where Richard proposed. Tami Ashcraft Oldham and Richard Sharp were delivering a yacht from Tahiti to California when disaster struck (Image: TV grab) Read More Related Articles. Create one. As they smashed down on the couples 44ft boat, Tami, 23, looked into the electric blue eyes of her handsome British lover Richard Sharp and saw fear. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Woodleys Adrift a lifetime opportunity, Towns challenge new Maine law meant to ease housing crisis, With shelter closing and apartments rising, Portlands Bayside awaits transformation, Big storm to bring flood risk, gusty winds and high seas to Maine, Maine cities, towns face historic tax increases as costs rise relentlessly, Storm prompts flash flood warnings, knocks out power to thousands. 2022 immaculate football checklist,