Fatal Forecast Audiobook By Michael Tougias cover art

Fatal Forecast

An Incredible True Story of Disaster and Survival at Sea

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Fatal Forecast

By: Michael Tougias
Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
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Fatal Forecast chronicles a dramatic fight for survival aboard two small fishing boats that were ambushed by a horrific surprise storm just southeast of Cape Cod.

Soon after the Fair Wind and the Sea Fever reached the fishing ground at Georges Bank, they were hit with hurricane-force winds and massive 90-foot waves that battered the boats for hours. The direction of the wind made it impossible to turn back. The Fair Wind soon capsized, drowning all but one of the crewmembers. The Sea Fever was nearly torn apart.

Here is the hour-by-hour account of the struggles faced by the eight crewmembers of the Fair Wind and the Sea Fever, including the incredible ordeal of Ernie Hazard, who endured three days in a lifeboat in open water. The book also details the dramatic rescue attempts made by the Coast Guard, on a day in which it received more mayday calls than any other in New England history.

©2007 Michael Tougias (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc. Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Americas Ecosystems & Habitats Engineering Environment Natural Disasters Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Ships & Shipbuilding State & Local Transportation United States Weather Survival Fishing True Disasters

Critic reviews

"[A] dramatic, pared-down account....Tougias smartly leavens his spare narrative with similar worst-case scenarios that resulted when other seamen miscalculated the sea's wrathful power." ( Publishers Weekly)
Gripping Survival Tale • Well-researched Account • Excellent Narration • Vivid Storm Descriptions • Compelling Human Drama
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Great book. Excellent attention to detail. Thank you. So sad and scary what these fishermen and families had to go through

Great book

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Would you listen to Fatal Forecast again? Why?

I was a 20 something USCG HU16 fixed wing pilot. I got called in to do a SAR mission, we found a New Bedford fishing boat crew in a wooden dory, after their boat sank. I remember the wind was howling with 20 foot seas on a clear sunny fall day. I never knew the whole story ..now I do! great book BTW,,,being a USCG Helo pilot is the most dangerous flying in the US Military.

outstanding read...the story behind the story

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A good setup of the storm, off-shore fishing and the crews. Just Enough detail to get to know the situations without being bogged down with trivial things

Several gripping scenes to keep you hooked - pun intended

Reader Performance did not match the story. Rather Robotic and lacking any emotion
And the inexcusable constant mispronunciation of scallops & Peabody (plus other words...Manomet)

A good mix of story, background and personality

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The twisted and turns the men were subjected to is nothing short of inspiring , great story

Life and tragedy

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Storyline bounced around a little between time and character, taking me a little while to realize direction had changed. Interesting story despite my confusion

Good story, bounced-around a little

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There is a special place in my heart for shipwreck stories, not unlike the love of horror or Sci-Fi stories. But this is not a tale from the imagination, fantastical, embellished and safe.
This horror is real, there is no need for embellishment, something not even the imagination can (or wants to) fully fathom- the truth of this story is verified by the echoes of others who've told it since we put boats to water, and there is only one type of person who can tell it. Only one type of person who has faced the most dangerous, violent force on earth, and this type is so rare because the rest are dead. Tougias did a wonderful job piecing the survivor's recounting into a coherent and full picture of this epic storm event, but it's truly brought to life by Cummings narration.
I think we put a lot of stock into "survival instinct" and "luck," and it's true both exist to some extent, but it's pure vanity to assume the same outcome if we were in the exact scenario. This type of survivor is the purest form of resilience and willpower and it's an honor to hear. Full stars, slow clap, several tears, and gratefulness I can listen from my warm bed.

Perfect narration for a gripping tale

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Cried at some points. Felt as if I were in the middle of multiple tragedies, and heroic victories

Good, thoroughly covered

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Filled with tidbits of knowledge about lobstering and the human spirit

Great exciting read

Highly recommended

Awesome quick moving story

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Well told story of true events. Great flow to the story that will have you drawn to what happens next. Greatread!

Great Story

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This is the true story of two small fishing boats, the Fair Wind and the Sea Fever The fishing boats had finally reached their destination, at Georges Bank just southeast of Cape Cod. The month was November and there would be no more fishing until next year.

The weather forecast at 11pm the night before was good. However, soon after the fishermen arrived they were hit with a hurricane. The waves were absolutely unbelievable, reaching as high as 90 feet. The wind was blowing extremely hard and in the wrong direction. Therefore, the fishing boats were unable to turn and head for home.

The Fair Wind did not survive the storm, it capsized. There was only one survivor, the captain of Fair Wind, Ernie Hazard. He was determined not to fall into the ravaging waters and die. Ernie saw a miracle, there was a lifeboat tethered to the Fair Wind but it was different from all other lifeboats. He was able to reach it and was amazed because it resembled a tent. Ernie spent three days in that lifeboat before he was rescued. The weather was cold and Ernie was wearing jeans, a tee shirt and shoes.

The Sea Fever made it through the hurricane but did lose one of their men. They were able to alert rescuers where the Fair Wind was. Everyone was exhausted but knowing that there was a boat that had capsized but may have men that survived they could not consciously leave anyone who may be alive. The plane lifted off and began the search for Ernie.

The book gives the listener an accurate account of what happened at George Bank, on that fateful day. The action and suspense was written in such a way that you were looking up and trying to envision a 90 ft. wave. I was so engrossed while listening, that I finished listening to the book in one day.

I think that the book was the special for the day. I wasn't convinced by reading the summary but I did put it in the cart. I came back later and purchased the book and I am certainly glad that I did. Purchase the book and listen how dangerous it is when you are in the midst of a hurricane and on a small fishing boat out on the sea. What an adventure. The narrator, was great and told the story so well that I was amazed. The Fatal Forecast is worth purchasing.

Waves as High as a Three Story House

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