Everything just changed…
As we were writing an update to send to members Friday about Tom’s departure from Vanuatu for his final “short” leg home to Australia, we received the following note from his shore team:
At 0700 UTC (1700 Australian Eastern Standard Time) on Thursday 5 October, Tom’s dad received a message from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to say that Tom’s EPIRB had been activated. Dad was told that a French plane would soon be taking off from Noumea to find Tom who was about 100 nautical miles WSW of Luganville in Vanuatu. In the dark, the plane spotted Tom who was standing on the upside-down hull of Maiwar. Subsequently a cruise ship, Pacific Explorer, made a detour from its planned course to pick up a naked Mahuta who climbed a rope ladder to reach the deck. Soon after, and some 13 hours since his EPIRB was activated, he rang his family at home. He was being checked in the sick bay, and sounded well after a precarious night. Tom explained that his demise was caused by an unexpectedly large wave that came through the main hatch, capsizing Maiwar and flooding the cabin.
Our sincere thanks go to the Australian, New Caledonian and Vanuatuan authorities who all had important roles to play in his rescue; and to the captain and crew of Pacific Explorer who literally went out of their way to pick up Tom.
Choked up and gut-punched, I picked up the phone and dialed Tom’s parents in Brisbane. Tim and Veronica were in good spirits after having received Tom’s phone call from the sick bay on the cruise ship. Tom was alive and doing well.
They said that Tom explained to them that he went below for a moment to get something and he relaxed his normal process of closing the hatch behind him. In an instant the cabin was full of water and the boat capsized from a rogue wave, despite the relatively benign conditions.
When I first read “cruise ship”, it didn’t occur to me that “cruise ship” might mean an actual cruise ship, so I looked it up. For perspective, here’s the cruise ship that picked Tom up — the 856-foot Pacific Explorer:
It’s hard for me not to wonder why a smaller cruising boat didn’t show up for the Mayday call, as there were several in the area on the AIS system. Such a boat might have easily helped right MAIWAR and half an hour of bailing would have had the boat ready to row again. Or a generous cargo boat or fishing vessel might have even plucked MAIWAR from the water for the short trip bak to Vanuatu for a regroup.
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John Hoy says:
So happy that Tom is safe. With that photo of Maiwar’s skipper perched on the bottom with nary a stitch I am reminded of Odysseus arriving on an unknown shore (“Book” 5), conspicuously nude but for the gift from a goddess of a red scarf, which he had to tie around his waist. Even that had to be cast away, an umbilical cord of sorts, in order for him to be reborn. Best wishes, from the coast of Maine!
Bruce Sims says:
I’m so happy the rescue stars were in alignment! I wonder if the strengthening El Nino played a role in your adventure. I will be reading your book.
Dave - SeaStorm Marine Australia says:
Tom mate,
Not the ending we were all hoping for :(
But I love your attitude, which shines through in that interview on the Cruise Ship.
Keep going brother,
Dave
Michael McEvoy says:
If only the world had many, many, many more Tom Robinsons it would be a far better place than we currently find it. Here is a young man with not only big dreams, but the adventuring spirit, skills and guts to make them come true. Happily, for all of us he still has his life, health and good humor and we can only assume he’ll do great things in the years to come. And maybe with a little luck Maiwar will be found and Tom’s incredible journey completed.
Don Bekins says:
I too, have an EPIRB on my rowboat, Tom. I occasionally row out the Golden Gate Bridge a short distance and back, but only in a flat seas, which is manageable.
— A good friend, Erden Eruc’ rowed around the world on human power, along which, included hiking, biking, kayaking, walking when it was impossible to make it around New Guinea [which he hiked across] Erden kayaked to Australia [which he cycled around], then rowed the Indian Ocean to Africa [which he cycled across], finally, rowed across the Atlantic to Florida. Erden completed his circumnavigation in just over 5 years by bicycling from Florida to Bodega Bay in California where he departed from. I was there when Erden departed from, and, returned to. — —
Tom, Good-on-ya Mate! I’m glad you are safe.
Miles Partridge says:
Bad luck Tom.
Glad you are safe. I always felt you were taking on a risky venture and hoped you were going to make it. With any luck, you get your boat back and can pick up where you left off, perhaps with a bit more buoyancy, and fulfill your dream. We need optimists and risk takers in this nanny state world.
Mark Riley says:
Tom, it could have ended very differently, you are alive mate and your mind is full of amazing memories, more than most people would gather in a life time. Start planning your next great adventure… you are a star amongst men!
John Keck says:
As are many others, I’m hoping some good samaritan finds Tom’s boat, rights it, bails it out, and tows it back to shore and contacts him! I’m glad he’s alive and well, and it’s probably the only time in my life I’ve been remotely jealous of anyone on a huge cruise ship!
Julia Graves says:
Steve, I am so thankful for your postings, interviews, wonderful friendship with Tom, and the news that he is safe. I lost my breath when Nate first told me! The news just shocked me. The eloquent, articulate and wonderful tributes to Tom on this comment thread say it all and then some. Sending love to Tom and all who are on this journey with him.
Julia
Jack Stone says:
Tom, we are so thankful that you were rescued by the cruise ship and much to appreciate about the Captain and his decision to divert.
You have thrilled many thousands of followers who have been spellbound with your brave adventure. You have experienced the strength of water and rogue waves and your boat and the good Lord were your saviors on that fateful day.
Anxious to hear about the final outcome but thrilled and grateful you were rescued. Hope on your future journeys that you can spend some time in Texas where boaters abound and always interested in hearing about worldly adventures!
Best to you and your family and thanks to OCH for including your adventure in their programming for the past year.
CONNIE GALLANT says:
All others commenting here have the same message for you, Tom: surprised, disappointed for you, but very happy you are alive and well. With the wonderful videos and stories that Steve has recorded and shared with all of us, I am certain that you will be able to reconstruct a large portion of your adventures and thoughts.
You are a very bright and smart young man, but most of all, you are very resilient. Your story will be heard for a very long time and, I’m sure, will encourage others to continue the adventurous quest.
You have earned our respect and admiration. Enjoy the rest of your life, Tom!
Jeri Clarke says:
You’re Safe #1!!!! Maybe a boat in the area is able to locate Maiwar and carry her back to you. And your Log will still be aboard!!!!!!!! You’re an inspiring adventurer!!!!!!!
Im looking forward to reading your book.
Heidi Roy says:
oh my what an ending to this adventure…but on we go waiting for news of MAIWAR ! and glad you are safe Tom.
Bonnie Triplett says:
Dear Tom, I am emotional but so thankful to God that you are still with us to tell your story and that you will continue to teach us so many valuable lessons. (About life on the high seas In a very small boat, and the NEXT chapters!)This endeavor has certainly not been a failure! Heartbreaking, of course, for you, personally…and us, too. We hurt for YOU. But all of your efforts, your studying, planning, building, preparation – ALL of the WORK! What you have learned, and endured, and shared with us (and soon, the world, hopefully) – are all the MORE valuable because the outcome was NOT as anticipated and hoped for, (- as in the perfect, ‘feel-good’ typical Hollywood movie ending?) Instead, it was raw REALITY – perilous and gutsy – as was your whole journey. And certainly, in between the long, tedious, hard labor of rowing, much more anxiety-ridden than your wonderful video work and stories would ever reveal. Thank-you, to you AND your parents – for giving us the chance to know and love you… and Congratulations on your remarkable accomplishments to date.. (We also hope that somehow, Maiwar finds her way back to you!) God Bless! – Bonnie T.
Martin Forst says:
Very sad news. Even if the essentials were rescued, the shattered dream will be hard to process. Good luck for the future and, once things have been sorted, why not pick up some day where the adventure was broken off? Thanks also to all at OCH for allowing us to follow this incredible feat!
Mark Avery says:
Tom you are a true inspiration! Life throws us rogue waves and yet we rise and carry on – just as you have!
Garryck Osborne says:
“It’s hard for me not to wonder why a smaller cruising boat didn’t show up for the Mayday call, as there were several in the area on AIS. Such a boat might have easily helped right MAIWAR for bailing.”
The skippers of other vessels in the area would have been totally unaware of Tom’s problem. Tom never made a mayday call. All he was able to do was trigger his EPIRB emergency beacon. A 406MHz EPIRB is not a radio. It doesn’t get picked up by AIS receivers. The signal can only be received by satellites, which then route the details to maritime search & rescue organisations. It is then up to them to contact vessels in the area. It seems they chose to only contact the New Caledonian and Vanuatuan authorities, and the Pacific Explorer.
Steve Stone says:
Thanks for this clarification for everyone Garryck. You are right about the rescue system. Something I read led me to believe there was also a mayday call made in the area by another boat, but a more local mayday call was probably not made.
David Flanders says:
I cannot imagine the grief that Tom must be feeling at this point, for the loss of his dream, his completely unimaginable hard physical and mental work, and Maiwar. We need to give him time and space to work through this, before making him a spokesperson for that gracious cruise ship captain and owners. He has the empathy of so many people who have followed him since the sea trials of the boat. He is an indomitable life force; and we all are eager to see where that next takes him.
Steven Paraskevas says:
Tom, So glad to hear of your safe rescue. I echo the other comments here – it may not have ended the way you had planned, but almost nothing in life turns out the way we imagine. Your goal was also to inspire and to make us believe in our capacity for strength, perseverance and imagination. Additionally, your journey was also about the importance of rejecting the status quo, and our worldly comforts, and appreciating what we can achieve with simple means. From these perspectives, you were a soaring success. Well done and thank you!
Andy Bullock says:
Commiserations Tom on losing Maiwar, but at least you’re alive to tell the tale, and have had amazing adventures since departing Peru. It was fortunate you were able to access the EPIRB (I presume it was in the cabin with you). I know you did a test of the boat’s self-righting capability, but having water enter the cabin from a breaking wave obviously changes things. The 14 hours spent hanging onto the upturned hull must have been challenging.
Alan Houghton says:
Tom – if you see this, I’m in Auckland and can help with anything you need, including accomadation etc . Alan Houghton waitematawoodys.com
scott garven says:
Tom, you have achieved your dream even though the result was not as planned. life has a way of changing things beyond our control and you were dealing with nature and all her elements. Be proud in yourself for persevering with your dream because we as your followers admire so much your determination and drive. You are an inspiration.
scott garven says:
+Tom, you have achieved your dream even though the result was not as planned. life has a way of changing things beyond our control and you were dealing with nature and all her elements. Be proud in yourself for persevering with your dream because we as your followers admire so much your determination and drive. You are an inspiration.
Winston Shaw says:
Sorry to hear that Tom suffered a capsize and the loss of his craft. For many years reports of rogue waves were dismissed as imaginary. Even the Capt. of the QE 2 was not believed when he reported his ship being hit by a rogue wave he estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 100′ high. Various theories have been advanced concerning the source, actual heights, and frequencies of these waves. Eventually it occurred to some scientists that there were satellites circling the earth capable of accurately measuring wave heights and they set up a monitoring program. Surprise, surprise they discovered that not only did 100’ rogue waves exist they were actually fairly common. I guess it’s just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Francis S Capsan says:
What a disappointment for Tom. To be so close to completing his adventure. He seems to be pretty upbeat about it all though, in the vid on board the Pacific Explorer. And the Capt. of the ship is to be commended for coming to Tom’s rescue. I can’t imagine how the skippers of the other vessels, who must have picked up Tom’s Mayday hail, can sleep in peace.
stephen wedlock says:
Nice to hear tales of honorable men, helping another seaman- thank you to the cruise ship captain.
Garryck Osborne says:
The skippers of other vessels would have totally unaware of Tom’s problem. Tom never made a mayday “hail”. He trigger his EPIRB emergency beacon. A 406MHz EPIRB is not a radio. The signal can only be received by satellites, which then route the details to maritime search & rescue organisations. It is then up to them to contact vessels in the area. It seems they chose to only contact the New Caledonian and Vanuatuan authorities, and the Pacific Explorer.
Aren Carpenter says:
Lucky young man he is! Get that boat back. I’d say he surpassed more dangers and obstacles than he likely should have! He’ll need the boat to return to the spot someday and complete that journey
Chris Doran says:
Good to hear Tom is well and alive . I can’t believe what has happened , we are one of the Sponsors of Tom’s voyage “Cerretti ” but the amazing part is that happened to me and my vessel in almost the same senario in the same area , we were picked up by P &O cruise ship also ,and we to had left Luganville Vanuatu after cruising there for several months almost to the day 4 years ago . I can’t believe the coincidence of the event .
I am sure Tom will be dissapointed now , but will use it as a stepping stone in his future life.
Jonathan Lewis says:
Thank you Steve for being a conduit through all of this. Tom has far surpassed being a “record holder “ and while he may not have touched the Australian coast with Maiwar, he has touched all of us.
Harvey Kerstein says:
Glad Tom is safe ! What an adventure!
Walter Allan says:
What an incredible event in a voyage full of incredible events. Watching the video I wonder if Tom doesn’t see the poetry of this rather than being depressed. The expected outcome we had all looked forward to would dim the other adventures we have learned about thanks to Tom, his team and Off Center Harbor. What a guy and what adventures to write about.
Andrew Hyde says:
As sad an ending as this is it will be fantastic to have our dynamic and adventurous young friend back here in Brisbane where I can assure everyone he will receive a hero’s welcome and support for whatever he does next. It seems unlikely Maiwar will be recovered but stranger things have happened.
Mike Anderson says:
Let’s hope somewhere down the line someone comes across his vessel and retrieves it…wouldn’t that continue the saga.
David and Margaret Tew says:
Until that plane spotted him he must have been scared out of his wits while simultaneously enraged with himself about his momentary lapse. But he kept hold of the EPIRB, TG.
Rick Pratt says:
How disappointing that must be, to get so close, then lose your boat.
I am amazed at your skills and resilience to have gone so far, so alone and so expertly.
Was the Maiwar saved, or left at sea?
Regards from the mountains of far west Texas.
Rick Pratt
Retired boat builder
Michael Pressman says:
What an adventurer you are Tom, and such bravery .
Bruce Baker says:
Very glad that he’s okay. Too bad for a such a very expensive search and rescue.
Margaret Custer says:
Thank goodness you were rescued, Tom! We have all been following your journey ever since you set out and admiring how much you have learned from it. I know you have written a lot about it as the experience unfolded. Are all those writings preserved somewhere or were they submerged in the cabin when the rogue wave capsized Maiwar? Onward and upward! You have gained so much from this journey and we’re all very, very glad that you are here to tell the tale and incorporate its lessons.
Karel Doruyter says:
Hard to believe !!!!!! I guess that one must always remember to close the hatch, even if its a quick visit inside. Glad to hear of the successful rescue. Hopefully someone can pick up the boat.
Chris Dixon says:
Good News that Tom is safe and sound. He can build another boat anytime. I hope he does.