. Twice ships appeared in the distance but their crews did not see the distress flares Tami sent into the sky. It would take years for her to fully heal, both physically from her head injury and emotionally. 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. Q. But that survival instinct [while at sea] just kicked in. The yacht was sinking, the sails were shot, and she had a gash on her forehead that was increasingly painful. Though her experience was harrowing, and without a doubt a traumatic one, Tami Oldham Ashcraft eventually found solace by writing her story down. Its a woman learning how to work with nature to survive.. 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. It wasnt 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. (`|%l[,Yf`/XhD0UZI#9^lMG=3pdFlT"lrda9x Y8|11P + -%]1Fl}qC^9"4nGf'1(0&$k]N [rm!] d! Richard was gone. Tami then investigated further and realised the yacht wasnt letting in any more water. The main cabin was filling with water, the masts were broken clean off, and the sails were dragging in the water. But it definitely made me a lot more cautious. Grief-stricken, dazed and with her head cut open from hitting the boats side, Tami had no will to live. 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. happy lovers Tami and Richard, Fear. Richards body was never found, but Tami took his belongings to his parents back in England. 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. Tami, now 58, still believes his spirit helped guide her to safety. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Q. Did anyone ever suggest that you receive counseling to deal with your trauma? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The engine, radio, electronic navigation system and emergency position-indicating radio device were broken. The True Story of Adrift - Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp Real 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. pukmsH,? ~ "nYExj#zbmmqdY/1xM'}@M|yHp+&=b`IjOX7e74]?( ]y~D )8JxXQukmWTYJienIU".d#i(;+sk B`Pv/iTi8=|HfCTN# 6d{B Q{&F.Z nP+=[L5. 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. She and Richard only carried enough for what they thought would be about ten more days at sea. It helped me to focus, to keep myself on track.". Q. It said: Dont give up, love.. WebWent to Point Loma High School, San Diego, CA. The sails were now useless; she fashioned a new one with a storm jib and spinnaker pole. For the next 41 days, Tami Oldham Ashcraft would be alone, adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, fighting to survive. Hazana after it was towed into the harbor at Hilo. So any deviations from the sailor's lived experience are intentional, and done with her approval. Upon further investigation, Ashcraft realized that the engine, the navigation system, and the emergency positioning devices were also in disrepair. But that survival instinct [while at sea] just kicked in. 5 Incredible Sea Survival Stories Where People Defied the Odds Sailor KO'd after hearing fiance's chilling 3 words woke up to The last thing Tami Oldham Ashcraft remembered before being knocked unconscious was hearing her fianc scream. There was plenty of work to be done. "I really wish I had taken the time to do that. Tami Oldham Ashcraft Success. I'm fairly headstrong, so I'm always, `Oh, I can get through this on my own.' .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. The book was closure. The navigation station is in pieces. 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. Coping on land after surviving at sea Chicago Tribune &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$`E! Woodley plays the part of Tami, who was only 23 when the incident happened. Hurricane Raymond, a category-four hurricane, surprised the couple by changing course sooner than they expected. Survivor/Author Tami Oldham Ashcraft talks logic versus emotion, discussing her thoughts with the lead actress and her fears and stamina to be able to survive in Her story inspired the 2018 film Adrift. Q. She talks about Shailene Woodley playing her and how How tall is Tami Oldham Ashcraft? Her fianc was gone and her boat was badly damaged, the result of an unexpected category-four hurricane. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. For more than a month and 1,500 miles, Tami sailed alone, guided by what she calls her "inner spirit." P10yE%SWz"wU}=*0llo9)KT~j'r[RaMKZ%n=UM7UY ["E'!sy_$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 There were times I didnt even want to live any more because I didnt know how I was going to go on.. The then 23-year-old Ashcraft accompanied him on the crossing. But how accurate is Adrift compared to the true story that inspired it? Now looking back, at times I really needed some professional help. oJBA &zEh#wcOp 4jv4{@,EC!5I*o+5+pEF=.\rf-|#]y/y6K^.]_G? IR Interview: Tami Oldham Ashcraft For "Adrift" [STX] - Part I The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Tami Oldham A. I just love it. How did this experience change your life? Just get through one thing at a time and remain focused and determined and keep going. 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. 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 just love it," she told the Chicago Tribune. Graduated in my Junior year. Adrift: Tami Oldham Ashcrafts tale of surviving a Profession: Author. A. Molly Ringwald Turned Down 'Pretty Woman' Due To An Early Script's Ick Factor, 10 Times Tom From 'Succession' Was Actually Mr. Darcy, Zendaya Explained An Awkward Part Of Her 'Dune' Romance With Timothe Chalamet, 11 Photos Of The 'Fatal Attraction' TV Cast Vs. Their 1987 Movie Counterparts, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. The True Story Of Adrift And Tami Oldham Ashcrafts Survival At Sea. But Tami Oldham Ashcraft didnt have time to grieve over her presumed-dead fianc. Qualification: Graduated from University of the Pacific Ocean (1979-1989), School: Point Loma High School, San Diego, CA San Diego, California, College: The University of the Pacific Ocean, Her Biopic Film Adrift (2018) The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Her real-life ordeal was depicted in the 2018 film, Adrift . YouTubeTami Oldham Ashcraft after her trip. Amazingly, she never stopped sailing. 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). Q. "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. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 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". The survival story of Tami Oldham Ashcraft 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. It reminds me of how I got home. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Actress Shailene had to survive on 350 calories a day in order to lose enough weight to portray Tami in her emaciated state a diet she calls f***ing miserable. A. She said: I will never understand why Richard died and I lived, except that he saved my life by having me go below.. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The ocean was as much their home as the land was, and at times, it felt even more so. {:37d7Jw.5v888]Gn{J3SRazuv2fDi*I,Ca^y+/im 'T2JBlEb" I really had to keep determined that I wasn't going to die. 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.