The group only had enough water for ten days and emergency rations for three days. Lyn had grabbed their papers, the logbook and a bag of onions, and they had a kitchen knife, a tin of biscuits, ten oranges, six lemons, half a pound of glucose sweets and flares plus Lyn's sewing box. He says he tried to tell his father, but "he didn't want to listen. Neither did my mother. I started to tell my mother about it many years later and she said, 'Douglas, don't give me a burden to take to my grave.' So how can you tell parents like that what is happening?" Day 36 – The seas were rough and squally. Clothes were tattered and threadbare, but Lyn washed and mended them. The twins were very thin, Neil was emaciated, and Sandy had a cough, possibly pneumonia. If he did not improve, they would have to start rowing with or without reserves of water. For the next five and a half weeks they would fight for their lives, working constantly to keep their raft afloat, catching rain water, fishing, bailing and eking out their meager provisions. Holes started appearing in the raft, and on the 17th day, the floor gave way, forcing them all to take to the open dinghy. Day 25 – Food becoming short, but large turtle caught. With more food and water all were improving physically and mentally.

The Robertson family at the start of their unforgettable voyage in Falmouth (Image: Photograph from ‘The Last Voyage of the Lucette’ by Douglas Robertson) They had managed to grab water before abandoning their original vessel. They also collected rainwater and drank the blood of turtles when that ran out. They ate meagre rations of bread, biscuits, fruit, and also turtle flesh.Lloyd, Oliver C. (18 December 1974). "Wessex Cave Club" (PDF). Wessex Cave Club. 13 (157): 144 – via Google Scholar. Ednamair at National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth where she is on permanent display (Image: Lynn Vosper) Chicago style: The Free Library. S.v. The Last Voyage of the Lucette.." Retrieved Nov 25 2023 from https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Last+Voyage+of+the+Lucette.-a0144438111

Using the dinghy as a towboat powered by a jury-rigged sail, the group made its way towards the doldrums. They got water from their boat before heading away from their old boat. But running out of water, hoping to find rain there so they could collect drinking water, they sailed their way on. When they ran out of water they started drinking turtle blood. They did so successfully, while catching turtles, dorado, and flying fish to eat. They also ate fruit, bread, and biscuits that they grabbed from the boat. The inflatable raft became unusable after 16 days, so the six people crowded into the three-metre (10') long dinghy with their supplies. They then continued to use the wind and current to their advantage, moving to the northeast towards Central America. Day 29 – This was the day that Dougal caught a five-foot Mako shark, hauled it on board and cut its head off. The severed head closed its mouth on Douglas’s hand and drew blood. He kept the teeth. Progress eastwards was improving.Day 16 – All on board were in very poor physical condition with sores, boils and sunburn. Still raining. The Last Voyage of the Lucette’ by Douglas Robertson (2005) – available via our online shop. The Bartlett Blog Jesús Vidaña and two other Mexican fishermen who survived in the Pacific Ocean for approximately 9 months from October 2005 to August 2006.

Day 28 – By morning there was a rough southerly swell with 20-foot waves. Continuous bailing needed. Heading north-east. On Day 17 the bottom of the raft virtually disappeared and they had to transfer to the dinghy. They salvaged what they could from the raft including flotation pieces to be secured to the bow of Ednamair and the canopy to give them shelter. Day 35 – Huge deluge of rain. Filled the containers, tins and plastic bag with water. Enemas for everyone for digestive reasons. Found five holes in the flotation collar.

Last Voyage of the Lucette - Book Review

A bit of Zen and two hands work magic Gordon Ketelbey's Zen and Mistral, sail two-handed by Rupert Henry and Greg O'Shea, were the beneficiaries of wins on Day 1 of Middle Harbour Yacht Club's (MHYC) 2023 Nautilus Marine Insurance Sydney Short Ocean Racing Championship, sailed offshore today. Yet, amazingly, they did survive, and their remarkable story is legendary, inspiring a bestselling book – Survive the Savage Sea by Dougal Robertson – an exhibition and a feature film starring Robert Urich and Ali MacGraw (1992). For many years after the rescue the Edmamair had been in the care of Edna, but later was brought to Falmouth where she had begun her voyage and was donated to National Maritime Museum Cornwall. On 26 November 2008, Douglas Robertson gave a lecture entitled ‘The Last Voyage of the Lucette’ which was held at the museum. The Ednamair is on permanent display in the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC) in Falmouth, which tells the extraordinary story in full. The Roberstons - and the museum - mark three dates each year: the date they left Falmouth on January 27, Sinking Day (as the family call it) on June 13 and Rescue Day on July 23. MLA style: "The Last Voyage of the Lucette.." The Free Library. 2005 Midwest Book Review 25 Nov. 2023 https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Last+Voyage+of+the+Lucette.-a0144438111