Home
Reviews
Book Summary
Table of Contents
Read a Chapter
About the Authors
To Order
Book a Presentation
Pictures
Contact Information

As darkness fell, the winds rose above 75 miles an hour, toppling small boats and downing electrical lines. With the power out, the darkness was total.

The guests who had boarded Boris's charter boat for a leisurely cruise of the Virgin Islands had been evacuated to a strong concrete building ashore. But Boris and his crew were staying with the ship. Rain mixed with sand pelted him, sandblasting his skin.

The boat's anchors started to drag. Boris started the engine to regain control. Boats and the debris of boats were rushing past in the swirling water. Finally the boat's propeller became so entangled in debris that the engine stalled.

Boris had no choice. Grabbing a knife, he dived into the total darkness of the water and felt his way under the ship to cut the entangling ropes.

People often ask Boris, "What are the worst conditions you ever experienced at sea?" They expect to hear the story of some storm or hurricane like this one, and they are always amazed at his answer: "The doldrums."