Tony Allan: Tasman Sea trimaran capsize, 20 days in a liferaft

Ocean Sailing Podcast

After competing in the Solo Tasman Yacht Challenge 1974, Christchurch man Tony Allan was sailing back to New Zealand from Mooloolaba, Australia, when his boat, ​Rebel II​, capsized two days into the journey, leaving him adrift in his life raft for 20 days. As Tony wasn’t expected back to Lyttelton for another 12 days, had no form of radio contact and, suddenly, after a life-time spent on water, was now afraid of the sea and how he would survive? This is an inspiring story of survival as Tony battled through nightmares, hearing voices, loneliness, and absolute vulnerability. Tony’s is the longest-known survival on the Tasman Sea in a life raft. Tony kept himself busy during the days lost at sea, his mounting depression, and how he rationed the little food he had. Tony had to deal with the realities of living in a slowly-sinking raft and being constantly soaked by the sea and tells of his and his extremely lucky rescue. Visit Ocean Sailing Podcast for offshore sailing opportunities and podcast extras and follow us on Facebook.