Merle Blasjo

Encounters in Paradise Merle Blasjo

Brett expected the sea voyage to be the adventure of a lifetime. He would support the mission of studying the decline of coral beds in the South Pacific on a research sailing vessel. The mission interested him less than did the temporary escape from the malaise of his job in silicon valley. A week after leaving Tahiti, the adventure took on an unexpected and unwanted intensity. The odyssey of terror began with a near collision with a submarine. Later, a whale attacked the small vessel, severely disabling it. While the six crew members worked on repairs, limping toward their nearest port, an extratropical cyclone struck. The events tested the mettle of the six members of the crew. While some weaknesses were evident, the group collectively fought strongly for survival. At the end, a heart-stopping rescue and a tragic loss left Brett questioning the meaning of this adventure.