Capsized: The True Story of Four Men Adrift for 119 Days 0792716446, 0792716438

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THE

TRUE STORY OE

EOUR MEN AORIET EOR

JAMES NALEPKA & STEVEN CALLAHAl A I Til OK

OF ADRIFT

The crew

of Rose Noelle on the second morning after crashing ashore on Great Barrier Island^ here just outside Constable Godinet's home. {Left to right) Phil Hofman^ Jim Nalepka;, Rick Hellriegel^ John Glennie. {Reproduced with the

permission of the

Dominion^

Wellington)

1

JAMES NALEPKA AND

STEVEN CALLAHAN

CURLEY LARGE PRINT HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Library of Congress Cataloging-iii-Publication Data Nalepka, James, 1951Capsized / James Nalepka and Steven Callahan.

cm.

p.

ISBN 0-7927-1644-6

(hardcover).

- ISBN 0-7927-1643-8

(softcover) 1

Rose-Noelle (Yacht) Survival after airplane accients, 3. Shipwrecks—South Pacific ocean. 4. Large type

.

.

shipwrecks, etc.

books.

I.

Callahan, Steven.

II.

Title.

[G530.R618R35 1992b] 910' .91648~dc20

92-47254

CIP

Map

©

1993 by James Nalepka and Steven Callahan copyright © by Steven Callahan

Copyright

All rights reserved.

No part

of this book

may be reproduced

or transmitted in any form or by any means^ electronic or

mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical anicles and reviews.

Published in Large Print by arrangement with HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. by Chivers North America 03842-0015. 1 Lafayette Road, Hampton,

NH

Printed in the United States of America

To Richard James

HellriegeU

who has found

his

my friend^ is my and will forever be my brother.

place of peace. Rick was

soulmatCy

James Nalepka

But

look! here comes more crowds^ pacing straight

for the water; and seemingly bound for a dive. Strange! Nothing will content them but the extremest limit of the land; loitering under the

shady lee of yonder warehouses will not suffice. No. They must get just as nigh the water as they possibly can without falling in. And there they stand

—

of them

miles

they come from

avenues

—

—

lanes

Inlanders

leagues.

and

alleys,

and

north, east, south,

streets

west.

ally

and

Yet here

they all unite. Tell me, does the magnetic virtue

of the needles of the compasses of attract

them

thither?

No man prefers

to sleep two in

would a good deal rather not brother.

I don^t know how

be private

comes

all those ships

when

to sleeping

sleep

it is,

with an

you with your own

bed. In fact,

but people like to

they are sleeping.

strange inn, in a strange

a harpooner,

a

And when

it

unknown stranger, in a town, and that stranger

then your objections

indefinitely

any reason why I as a sailor should sleep two in a bed, more than anybody else; for sailors no more sleep two in a bed at sea, then bachelor Kings do ashore. To be multiply.

Nor was

there

I

I

T sure they all sleep together in one apartment^ but

you have your own hammock^ and cover yourself with your own blanket^ and sleep in your own skin.

Upon waking the next morning about daylight^ I found Queequeg^s arm thrown over me in the most loving and affectionate manner. You had almost thought I had been his wife.

—Herman Melville^ Moby Dick

Rose Noelle. (Note: The starboard side hull skin and portions of the cabin sole [floor] and starboard side furniture are eliminated for clarity.) Cutaway view

of interior^ shows Jim cooking in aft cabin; Phil crawUng out of cabin on the plank into the galley area; John gathering food in the forward cabin beside the dinette; and Rick keeping watch on the hull just aft of the forward hatch cutout. (© Steven Callahan)

PREFACE Jim Nalepka wrote to me about nine months after escaping from Rose-Noelle. He had read Adrifty which chronicled my own ocean survival drifts and wanted to talk to me about writing a book about his own experience. I knew just how important this event must have been for Jim personally; but^ I wondered3 would his story add any new dimensions to the small library of ocean survival books3 or would it just be another tale of desperation in which the good guys lived in the end? I had heard about Rose-Noelle while voyaging and writing in the Caribbean3 but took

Two

things stood out3 however. One was that four men spent an incredible 119 days on an overturned trimaran3 most of the time jammed into the space of a double bed with eighteen inches of headroom. The other was that the authorities and the press were challenging the crew with cries of ''Hoax!'' The latter seemed typical. When those who are written off for dead have the bad taste to show up alive3 it can be rather embarrassing to those who have written them off. Four months adrift is a very long time3 but record periods of survival in themselves do not generally impress me. All experiences are unique3 and some brief survival experiences little

note of

it.

ix

are more special in my mind than lengthy ones. If the survivors of Rose-Noelle hold any record as such^

that they tie for surviving the second longest time at sea after their craft was fatally stricken. In terms of maritime hisit is

tory^ the significance

is

that they have sur-

vived longest by far in such cold waters. In fact^ I have yet to find another case of survival offshore in such high latitudes of more than a week. In warmer waters^ there is one case of a Costa Rican boat that drifted 142 days after running out of fuel. That boat remained upright

and

intact.

During World

named Poon Lim

War II3 a man

drifted 133 days

on

a solid

Among

ocean survivors^ he is the uncontested champ. In 1973 Maurice and Maralyn Bailey drifted 119 days in two inflatable rafts. So nothing is unique about the length of Rose-Noelle's drifts though the survivors are in an extremely exclusive club. When I returned from the Caribbean^ I found out that a friend knew the skipper^ John Glennie^ decades ago. And to top it off^ here was a letter from one of the crew on my desk. These coincidences piqued my curiosity. During our first meetings which Jim called ship's raft.

a blind date^

so

we had no

we expected

idea

what

to expect^

nothing. Jim did not look like

an ocean survivor^ but then again3 no one really does. Survivors are rarely John Waynes and do not remain sore-covered and bony for long.

With

his cherubic face^ thick crop of

X

hair^ shy smile^

sensitive bit

and

soft voice^

and easygoing.

androgenous.

He

Gay guys

Jim appeared

told

me^

"Vm

a

are always hitting

on me/' Tm more demanding^ loudmouthed^ and pigheaded. In short3 he's more like one of those New Age sensitive guys^ while I fit the mold of one of those old age SOBs^ not uncouple of his shipmates. Maybe this makes our story better balanced^ since I understand more the view of the harder cases on Rose-Noelle. Like John Glennie^ I was a seasoned sailor when I found myself adrift. Jim was so ignorant of the sea and boats in heavy conditions that he had to look for signs of fear in his shipmates' faces to know whether he should be scared or not. Writing a story from the viewpoint of a neophyte would be fun for me. I did not anticipate how much Jim's story would challenge my own perceptions of the like a

and masculinity. As I listened to Jim tell of his experience I became immediately intrigued by how utterly different it was from my own. People often told me that it must have been difficult for me while adrift because I was alone. Being alone sea^ survival3

did present difficulties^ but I always thought that other people aboard might create even life raft is a very inhospigreater hardship. table abode and I had almost no food or water other than what I gathered from the sea. companion would have been a great comfort^

A

A

xi

but I had only the capacity to produce enough water for one. At least one of us would have died. The conditions in which Jim and his mates lived were probably akin to those in the losing side of a major war. They were horrible by anyone's standards. Still3 because they could remain with their unsinkable boat^ the crew of Rose-Noelle were blessed with more food3 water3 and shelter than ocean survivors until now could have dreamed possible. One newspaper explained the crew's post-survival good health with an article headlined^ survivors' DIET WELL BALANCED, SAYS EXPERT. Although a daily ration of a couple spoonfuls of rice and dab of horseradish mustard may not seem like a well-balanced diet for a full-grown

man^ the story of the Rose-Noelle shows

clearly

the possibilities for long-term survival if the crew is as well equipped. While I had to deal with conflicts within parts of myself^ Jim had to coexist with other personalities. In some ways I split into three physical^ — The crew of

different people

rational3

and emo-

Rose-Noelle^ in contrast^ tried to make a whole single cooperative unit out of four men. Rose-Noelle provided a unique stage upon which four very different tional.

men

explored their roles and their relationships with one another^ away from civilization and away from women^ as they created their

own

from

scratch. This story

often testament to the darker side of men's souls society

xii

is

and my own good luck in having drifted alone^ but it also serves to recognize male aptitude and sensitivity^ positive qualities that men often repress in order to

fulfill

their societal

roles.

would not have been interested in Jim Nalepka's story if it had not appeared to be different from Adrift. I would not have been I

Jim could not tell me the story. I may have shaped and juggled the words herein^ but it could not possibly have come to life without Jim's eloquence^ his candor^ his perceptive view of the strengths and weaknesses of both his mates and himself. As he talked3 1 came to see that this was not a tale so much about survival afloat as it was a tale of men's survival in contemporary society. It could have occurred as easily within a jail cell interested

as

it

if

did within the confines of their Pacific

prison.

Skipper John Glennie wrote another version of the incident^ but in tone and minor details it is quite different from this account. In this book3 the reader will see through Jim's eyes alone. We will not pretend that such a view is completely objective. Since memories are flawed^ no doubt we too are guilty of minor factual errors as well. Our purpose is not to replicate or denigrate Glennie's account^ but to paint another picture of the same scene. Interviews of John and his own account helped me to establish a chronology and to xiii

understand a little of his feelings and thoughts during his survival adrift. I give John thanks for his efforts. Conversations and style of speech are recollected to the best of Jim's ability and confirmed in general content in most cases by interviews with other members of the crew

and Glennie's account. Jim's close friend and shipmate^ Rick Hellriegel^ originally intended to help Jim with this book^ but illness prevented him. Both Rick and Jim3 however3 were interviewed in great depth by Bruce Ansley shortly after their escape to land. Bruce kindly allowed us to use all of the tapes and transcripts from twenty-four hours of these interviews^ for which

we

are very grateful. have also tapped dozens of press articles^ the Zealand government's inquiry into the events and interviews and information from many people who went through their own survival experience ashore^ particularly Heather Hellriegel. Jim was certainly unfamiliar with survival and maritime history as well as with sailing. I have taken the liberty to add information about survival3 history3 and the environment. Fve also inserted details about the search and rescue operation and lives of those ashore. Although Jim was not privy to any of these

We

New

things at the time^ we have included them in order to put some of the events into clearer perspective. xiv

In cases where the crew maintained conflicting memories of chronology or details3 Jim and I decided to rely on common sense and the majority view. Glennie says^ for instance^ that he tossed the first battery^ but he had to be in the cave to get the battery. Why would he crawl out to toss it rather than just handing it to one of three pairs of waiting hands? Rick remembers tossing it^ so that is our version. If Glennie thought about hooking up the EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) to the ship's battery immediately3 as he says3 why did he throw out even the second good battery^ and why did he later wait several days after the EPIRB died to try to resuscitate it with the remaining battery? Such minor differences hopefully will not threaten the integrity of either account. More importantly^ Jim wanted to emphasize how mutually dependent the entire crew was during their days adrift^ a fact he and Rick

was downplayed by their skipper. Jim acknowledges Glennie's competence and the crew's dependence on him^ but the rest of the crew remember that Glennie resisted their ef-

felt

forts to fish.

He

also resisted retrieving gas

and heat transformed their world. Phil Hofman^ on the other hand^ was often treated as low man on the totem pole^ but created a valuable rain collection system and was the chief hunter offish. Our story requires no heroes or demons.

bottles to rig a stove. Fish

XV

Like the voyage

itself^ all

men and

all

situa-

complex puzzles. There are moments of humor^ of cynicism^ of passion3 of depression^ of hope^ and of hopelessness. There is incredible selfishness and touching generosity. Each person is a combination of

tions are

diverse traits of character that in some situations are assets and in others are liabilities. All those aboard Rose-Noelle were flawed^ as all men are^ but somehow they came together enough to be whole^ to survive^ and to begin life again. Some readers^ safe within the embrace of their armchairs or beds^ may fantasize that they would show fewer faults under similar circumstances. I hope that the historical

information and honest self-analysis will result in a nagging doubt in the back of all our minds as to the limits of our own integrity. Mere facts do not tell any story. We have tried to choreograph herein facts and impressions that tell a story worth reading. Among these are the flawed and biased views of men^ which are as real as the waves upon which they rode.

Steven Callahan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Prior to our ill-fated voyage on Rose-Noelle^, I could not have imagined the unknowns of the sea or the adversity that we were about to xvi

During those days adrift^ the only thing of which I was certain was that we were alive. Our family and friends^ unfortunately^ had no idea what had happened. With the official face.

opinion stating truly that our chances of survival were remote^ those close to us could only rest their hopes on their confidence in our survival instincts and the strong force of their own faith. I realize now that what they went through was at least as traumatic and painful as our own ordeal. I believe in the power of collective human spirit^ and feel that it played an important role in my own survival. To all those who were with me afloat and ashore^ I give thanks for their continued faith and help^ without which we would not have survived. I am forever grateful to my sister3 Cathy3 her husband3 Tom Moynihan^ and their children3 Meg and Jack^ for their unyielding faith and unconditional love and support. Also thanks go to my mother^ my father^ Doris^ brother Mike^ and their families for all their prayers and efforts to secure my safe return. Joe and Peggy Schierl^ Mary O'Donnell^ Pam Caldwell^ and so many friends and acquaintances in Minnesota worked unselfishly with my family to obtain information3 inspire action^ and lend one another support during those trying times. I offer gratitude and friendship to them all. I feel inadequate to express my appreciaxvii

tion to my extended family in New Zealand. To the patient and understanding staff at the

Cobham Outward Bound

School^ thank you

your tender loving care when I needed it. I owe a special debt to Sue B. in New Zealand for her constant love and support3 for

which has meant so much.

My heartfelt feel-

ing of indebtedness to Pete Brady and Jenny Jones^ Martha Bell^ Pete and Lee^ Gino Rocco and family^ Mary P.^ and all the people who make that strong3 caring community in the Marlborough Sounds. does one put into words the experience and meaning of being at a close friend's side when he is dying? Heather Hellriegers amazing spirit and intense love lifted Rick and us all. Her mother^ Gloria Whitings was

How

nothing less than totally selfless throughout Rick's extended illness. Heather's and Rick's son^ Matthew^ was inconceivably sensitive and aware^ which strengthened all those he touched. Rick's parents^ Peter and Helen Hellriegel^ and sister^ Debbie^ showed extreme courage in the face of the inevitable. John and Nancy Stewart were superb^ objective listeners and helped us all sort out our lives. Steve O'D.^ Frith O'H.^ and the entire staff of the Wairau Hospice gave so much of themselves because they love and care. All of these people transformed what was a difficult process into a profound experience of the hu-

man

spirit.

xviii

During the writing of this book it was an honor and privilege to have worked with Steve Callahan. His talent^ diligence^ understandings and just plain hard work (between naps) made the story come to life. What started as a blind date turned into a committed relationship and an honest collaboration. To his partner^ Kathys a personal thank-you for her never-ending support and kindness. Both Steve and Kathy allowed me to be a part of their family during the endless months we suffered together in Maine. Just kidding! New Zealand writer Bruce Ansley generously provided transcripts of interviews he conducted with Rick and me^ which helped a great deal in the writing of this book. Most importantly^ they allowed us to recapture Rick's point of view and memories after he was no longer able to help us in person. Thanks to HarperCollins for believing in this story.

My

deep and humble thanks go to my matess Phil Hofmans John GlenniCs and Rick Hellriegel^ without whom I would not have survived. Finally^ an overdue tribute of gratitude and utmost respect goes to Rose-Noelky who kept us safe^ dry^ and warm for one hundred nineteen days. Jim Nalepka October 1991

XIX

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