The harrowing real-life story of Tami Oldham Ashcraft
In October 1983, life seemed incredibly bright for Tami Oldham Ashcraft and her fiancé, Richard Sharp.
The two skilled sailors were ready to set off on the adventure of a lifetime — transporting a stunning 44-foot yacht from Tahiti to San Diego.
However, just a few weeks into their expedition, the unimaginable occurred.
Something changed.
It was meant to be a fantasy — a 4,000-mile journey from Tahiti to San Diego on a gorgeous yacht named Hazana. The yacht’s owners had promised the couple $10,000 along with two first-class airline tickets to finish the anticipated 31-day trip and sell the boat upon their arrival in the coastal town of California.
Initially, everything appeared to be progressing without a hitch.
As the couple navigated through what should have been tranquil waters, an unexpected change occurred. Hurricane Raymond — a formidable Category Four storm — altered its path without any warning.
“I had encountered gales and storms in the past, but never a hurricane,” Tami later recounted to Stylist. “We had been trying to evade it for three days, but the boat could only manage 15 miles per hour. I was terrified.”
With winds reaching 140 miles per hour
She and Richard secured the yacht, put on their raincoats, and got ready to endure the storm. However, nothing could have prepared them for what was about to happen — winds of 140 miles per hour and 50-foot waves crashing against the small boat like wrecking balls.
Sharp insisted that Tami, who was just 23 at the time, remain below deck. He fastened himself into the safety harness and yelled that he would take care of the storm.
A few moments later, Tami heard his last words:
“Oh my God!”
The boat overturned. The force threw her against the cabin wall — and everything went dark. When she regained consciousness, Tami found herself amidst chaos.
The 44-foot yacht was partially submerged, debris floated around her, and seawater surged against her body. Richard was nowhere to be found.
Unconscious for 27 hours
She had been out cold for 27 hours. When she finally regained consciousness, the storm had subsided, but her true nightmare was just beginning.
The Hazana was in ruins. The masts were missing, the sails were torn to shreds, and both the radio and navigation systems were nonfunctional. The cabin was rapidly filling with seawater.
And Richard’s safety harness — the one that was supposed to keep him secured — hung uselessly in the waves.
“I was just a mess,” Tami recounted later.
“I had suffered a significant head injury and had lost a lot of blood. After screaming and being in such shock, I completely drained my energy and ended up curled up in the fetal position.”
Yet, amidst the sorrow and disorientation, her survival instinct kicked in.
Tami started to pump the water out of the cabin. Using a broken pole and a storm jib, she fashioned a makeshift sail. Her only tools were a watch and a sextant — the same ancient navigation instrument that sailors had relied on for centuries.
“All the electronics on the boat were fried. I had no means to cook. The stove was wrecked and the propane had spilled,” Tami shared with Hawaii-Tribune Herald.
Surviving on canned fruit salad and sardines
Tami quickly realized that no one was coming to save her.
To stay alive, she knew she had to rely on herself.
She charted a path to Hilo, Hawaii — a daunting 1,500 miles away.
For 41 days, Tami battled the vast Pacific Ocean all on her own.
Her provisions were scant — just canned fruit salad and sardines — and her spirit was broken. Yet, she persevered, guided by the stars, the sun, and her unwavering determination.
“I wasn’t going to just sit and wait for someone to rescue me,” she reflected. “I kept myself occupied to distract from the sorrow. It was beneficial to have navigation to concentrate on; without that constant focus on steering, I wouldn’t have stayed on course.”
At night, the ocean seemed to stretch on forever, both stunning and harsh. On some nights, she could almost feel Richard’s presence beside her.
“I wrapped one of his shirts around a pillow,” she said gently.
“I felt his presence with me the entire time.”
There was also another thing that troubled and haunted her.
“My biggest worry was water.”
The boat had 25 gallons on board, but Tami still rationed it carefully, fearing she might not reach Hawaii.
“I had about a Dixie cup of water each day. I believe I lost around 40 pounds.”
Tami nearly got spotted and rescued several times. Two ships and a low-flying aircraft passed close by — but no one noticed her.
On the forty-first day, the unbelievable happened — a Japanese research ship noticed her battered yacht just outside Hilo Harbor. Tami had made it.
Against all odds, she had survived.
Her tale, one of love, loss, and sheer human endurance, became a source of global inspiration. Years later, after healing from her injuries, she penned Red Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Survival at Sea, which was subsequently adapted into the Hollywood film Adrift, featuring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin.
“The most challenging aspect was coping with Richard’s absence,” she shared with the Chicago Tribune. “There were moments when I felt like I didn’t want to continue living because I was unsure how to move forward.”
Currently, Tami resides peacefully on San Juan Island, located off the Washington coast. She continues to sail, still feels the ocean’s allure — and each day, she dons a small pendant shaped like a sextant, adorned with a diamond.
“It serves as a reminder of how I found my way back home,” she explains. “It truly saved my life.”
Millions have since followed her journey in Adrift — and many claim they will never view the ocean in the same light again.
If this story touched your heart, please share it — so that more individuals can remember the strength of love, bravery, and the human spirit’s determination to survive.