Ashcraft wrote a memoir about her experience at sea shortly after the incident, but shes been waiting for it to come together on film for 34 years. FOR loved-up young adventurer Tami Oldham, sailing a yacht across the Pacific with her sexy fiance was meant to be 4,000 miles of sun-kissed bliss. . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. "I just love it," she told the Chicago Tribune. When the couple encounters 1983's formidable Hurricane Raymond, the force of the storm damages the ship and severely injures Richard. "It saved my life," Tami told the San Diego Union Tribune of the navigational device, a diamond-encrusted replica of which she now wears around her neck. But, actually, while I was in the survival mode, the grief was fairly low. v=?LPsXR[iYx^a."5xbI\ OI9agla0! Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration. She heard: Never leave the boat. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. They had two daughters Brook, 21, and Kelli, who died aged 22 in April last year from carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty heating system in her home. Q. Indeed, Woodleys passion for the project ran so deep and she found herself doing so much, she eventually even got her own producer credit. worst natural disasters of the 21st century. Woodley plays the part of Tami, who was only 23 when the incident happened. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. In the most profound way, it made me really appreciate life. I just really had a hard time. She said: I think Richard was definitely with me, that he was helping guide me and being there with me because we shared such a passion for each other and for life. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". An American sailor and author, Tami Oldham Ashcraft is a mother of two daughters, Kelly Ashcraft and Brook Ashcraft. Years after his death, Tami tied her engagement ring to a rose and sent it out to sea. Then she heard a voice Richards voice. I kind of parallel [the hurricane] to being in a car accident. I think, personally, it was my inner spirit. Scrambling above deck, she discovered Sharp's safety line dangling over the end of the boat, but he was gone. The book helped her heal from the loss of her first love. oJBA &zEh#wcOp 4jv4{@,EC!5I*o+5+pEF=.\rf-|#]y/y6K^.]_G? Coming to theaters June 1, the movie Adrift is based on a terrifying real-life story of survival. About three weeks in, the hurricane hit. I couldn't wait to get out of the States and get back to some tranquility and get back to the water again. View our online Press Pack. In interviews, Tami Oldham Ashcraft has said that the parallels between the film and what happened are incredibly accurate. In October of 1983, a friend approached the couple and asked if they would deliver a 44-foot yacht, Hazana, from Tahiti to San Diego. 100 minutes. She heard it again when, desperate to get out of the flooded yacht, she prepared to set off in the Tami, now 58, still believes his spirit helped guide her to safety. Q. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "I'm passionate about it. In the book you talk about an inner voice that guided and helped you. Her story inspired the 2018 film Adrift. Regarding the major difference, Oldham-Ashcraft said she doesn't want to be a spoiler and noted, accurately, that "there is a little bit of a twist and everything becomes clear in the end. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Together they sailed a yacht Richard had built himself to Tahiti, where Richard proposed. It reminds me of how I got home, she said. My main message is that knowledge is key for any kind of extreme sports that women get involved in. As they smashed down on the couples 44ft boat, Tami, 23, looked into the electric blue eyes of her handsome British lover Richard Sharp and saw fear. Debut: Her Biopic Film Adrift (2018) based on her true story of survival in Category-four Hurricane in 1983 . ;&zf-IE$m7iVvn9 =r^j"1u`X'g?YVy+ DHr@te6\;yI*YdYe/!a&`,oB#*Bk=S IopbG,rDO%;w6,a/*9+MiE&Ct{}7,2BeN,k-q\tMF`wgw{ohNN^)w*.J*Q'/`5!~l "Come sail with me," goes the first line of the trailer for the .css-1e1wdvt{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#0A5C80;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1e1wdvt:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:#0A5C80;}new movie Adrift, delivered dreamily by Sam Claflin, who stars in the film opposite Shailene Woodley. But 20 days in to their dream voyage, a hurricane struck whipping up waves as tall as skyscrapers. A. In 1983, then 23-year-old Tami Lee Oldham Ashcraft set sail from Tahiti with her fianc, 34-year-old Richard Sharp, in a 36-foot sailboat named the Hazana. From this the movie Adrift was made, and I love the way my story is told and woven like a tapestry. A. Less than In 1983, Ashcraft's fianc, 34-year-old British sailor Richard Sharp, was hired to deliver the 43-foot (13 m) yacht Hazaa from Tahiti to San Diego. "As I have told my story over the years, I have had people tell me what an incredible story it was and it prompted me to write my book. The navigation station is in pieces. Went to Point Loma Senior High. I kind of parallel [the hurricane] to being in a car accident. Learn more. Eventually, a Japanese research ship noticed Hazana floating just outside the harbor and pulled her into Hilo. As you might guess from the title, and what any glance at interviews with Oldham-Ashcraft will quickly reveal, is that the film decided to make one glaring revision. Enter your email and password to access comments. WebTami Oldham is on Facebook. Hurricane Raymond, a category-four hurricane, surprised the couple by changing course sooner than they expected. Join Facebook to connect with Tammy Oldham and others you may know. But how accurate is Adrift compared to the true story that inspired it? You mentioned the movie "A Perfect Storm." You will receive an email to complete the registration. No one ever suggested it, but I wish I had because I definitely had some severe post-traumatic stress syndrome. Tami Oldham Ashcraft (L) and daughter (R) at the, The Crushing True Story Behind 'Adrift'and How Tami Oldham Ashcraft Survived at Sea, True Story of the Cuddling Couple from 'Titanic', Singer Bonnie Raitt Reveals "Medical Situation". But finally she approached Hawaiis Hilo harbour and soon she was on land, safe and overwhelmed with the horror of her ordeal. There wasn't enough spray and the wall of water was a little hokey, but I really thought the scene where the boat capsized was very realistic. There were times I didnt even want to live any more because I didnt know how I was going to go on.. Known For: Celebrity. How tall is Tami Oldham Ashcraft? Relying on her sextant, canned fruit salad and sardines, and the hope that shed picked currents that would drift her toward Hawaii, Ashcraft spent 41 days pushing herself to survive. It was a tribute to him.". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Already have a commenting profile? "It wasn't as intense as when I got to shore and the survival was over, and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. Tami Oldham remained unconscious for 27 hours after hitting her head when the boat capsized during the hurricane. The severe head injury is visible on Shailene Woodley's character in the 2018 movie. At first, the Adrift movie seems to unfold differently than the true story. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. She found a vial of morphine and decided to kill herself to avoid the lingering death she was certain would be her fate. YouTubeTami Oldham Ashcraft and Richard Sharp, just before setting out on their fateful trip. It helped me to focus, to keep myself on track. But everything changed when they were hired to transport a 44-foot yacht called Hazana from Tahiti to San Diego. WebThis Tami Oldham Ashcraft interview features the real woman who lived the experience depicted in the Adrift movie. Plus, she said, she had both Ashcrafts memoir and the woman herself for any questions, big and smal. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Tami is 62 years old as of 2022, she was was born on Feb 20, 1960, in San Diego, California, United States. Please note the display name will appear on screen when you participate. Your email address will not be published. She wrote of that moment of coming to: The boats smashed to smithereens, the mast and sails are gone ripped clean away. In an interview, she told Red Carpet Crash she'd been working with the screenwriters for over five years since they came to her with the idea of turning her book into a film, noting, "I've waited many years for fruition, to see my story on the big screen." And it really made me prioritize, which is something I learned. Richard was gone. She settled in Washington state and in 1994 married property developer Ed Ashcraft. I really had to keep determined that I wasn't going to die. The two play young lovers and expert sailors Richard Sharp and Tami Oldham Ashcraft embarking on a journey from Tahiti to San Diego. Tami must find a way to keep the vessel afloat and sail her fianc to safety. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Weak, hungry, and on the verge of a mental breakdown, the then 23-year-old sustained herself with only peanut butter and canned food, until she arrived safely in Hilo, Hawaii. It was my spirit. They had been hired by the boat's new owner to deliver it to San Diego, California. Father: Mr. Oldham. Graduated in my Junior year. Katie Serena is a New York City-based writer and a staff writer at All That's Interesting. Using a broken pole and a storm jib, Ashcraft fashioned a makeshift sail and managed to pump the water out of the cabin. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The engine, radio, and electronic navigation system weren't functioning; she relied instead on a simple sextant. It wasnt as intense as when I got to shore and the survival was over, and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. Tami recalled: While I was in survival mode, the grief was fairly low. I was never going to fall in love again. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. To get one, go to the subscriptions page. Spoilers for the movie to follow. It wasn't as intense as when I got to shore and the survival was over, and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. "His face is so imprinted on my brain," Tami said to the San Diego newspaper. I talked to him all the time. She was then thrown against the side, knocking her unconscious. As it was she had to drastically ration her meagre supply of water, peanut butter, canned fruit, Spam and sardines. The cabin was half-filled with water; everything in it was smashed or scattered on the floor. A. I think it was my inner spirit, quite frankly. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Tami, from the US, was just 23-years-old when in September 1983 she and her British fianc Richard set about delivering the Hazana from Tahiti in the South Pacific to San Diego, California. Join Facebook to connect with Tami Oldham and others you may know. The masts were broken off and the waterlogged sails floated uselessly in the water. I'm fairly headstrong, so I'm always, 'Oh, I can get through this on my own.' Was it an accurate depiction of a storm at sea? I'm fairly headstrong, so I'm always, `Oh, I can get through this on my own.' I really wish I had taken the time to do that. Combined, the two had years of sailing experience and spent much of their time cruising around the South Pacific Islands on Sharps 36-foot sailboat. e6 EIgf("l=f$||( *B=C#CobSTPQn. It kept me going.. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I'm passionate about it. .css-1b2q3vo{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#CDE5F0;font-family:Gotham,Georgia,Times,Sans-serif;font-size:0.70028rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;padding:0.9375rem 1.25rem 0.9rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-1b2q3vo:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:#0A5C80;background-color:#CDE5F0;-webkit-filter:contrast(0.9);filter:contrast(0.9);}.css-1b2q3vo:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}BUY TICKETS See when Adrift is playing near you. AK^W/^#N Create a commenting profile by providing an email address, password and display name. My family is really great, I'm involved with my kids. The first three weeks of the voyage were pure happiness and freedom. Unable to outsail the ferocious Hurricane Raymond, Sharp and Ashcraft fought desperately to keep Hazana afloat in the 40-foot waves and 140-knot winds. YouTubeHazana after it was towed into the harbor at Hilo. Though her experience was harrowing, and without a doubt a traumatic one, Tami Oldham Ashcraft eventually found solace by writing her story down. Her real-life ordeal was depicted in the 2018 film, Adrift . Tami was played by the beautiful Shailene Woodley and her former fianc Richard Sharp by the dashing Sam Claflin. . For the next 41 days, Tami Oldham Ashcraft would be alone, adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, fighting to survive. Heres why. Get the water out of the boat.. Qualification: Graduated from University of the Pacific Ocean (1979-1989), School: Point Loma High School, San Diego, CA San Diego, California, College: The University of the Pacific Ocean, Her Biopic Film Adrift (2018) based on her true story of survival in Category-four Hurricane in 1983, Sister: Cousin: Chelsea Reinhart Pavloff & Claire Bullas, Daughter: Brook Ashcraft and Kelli Ashcraft, Your email address will not be published. Tami Lee Oldham Ashcraft is an American sailor and author who, in 1983, survived 41 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. But that survival instinct [while at sea] just kicked in. For more than a month and 1,500 miles, Tami sailed alone, guided by what she calls her "inner spirit." . I couldn't believe how much I was still holding around in my head, and just purging it like that really helped me to get past it all. There were times I didn't even want to live anymore because I didn't know how I was going to go on. Q. The couple set sail from Papeete Harbor on September 22. When they did, 40-foot waves and 140-mile-per-hour winds descended on the tiny vessel. Waking up badly injured after being knocked unconscious by the storm, Oldham-Ashcraft navigated over 1,500 miles alone with just a sextant and watch, surviving on canned food and peanut butter until she reached the safety of Hilo, HI. I really try to live in the now and absorb as much as I can and be happy. Now looking back, at times I really needed some professional help.". The True Story Of Adrift And Tami Oldham Ashcrafts Survival At Sea. Tami, now 58, still believes his spirit helped guide her to safety. In 1983, engaged couple Tami Oldham-Ashcraft and Richard Sharp set off from Tahiti to deliver a yacht to San Diego. "I have waited 34 years to see my story made into a feature film," Tami told CountryLiving.com following the film's release. I know in a blinding flash hes gone overboard.. The yacht was sinking, the sails were shot, and she had a gash on her forehead that was increasingly painful. A. In 1983, engaged couple Tami Oldham-Ashcraft and Richard Sharp set off from Tahiti to deliver a yacht to San Diego. Despite that, the ship was miraculously still afloat. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. It would take years for her to fully heal, both physically from her head injury and emotionally. By the time she wrote her book, Tami had settled in San Juan Island, Washington, married, and had two daughters. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. But it definitely made me a lot more cautious. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. How did you find the courage to sail again? Then, just before the killer wave struck, all motion stopped. Ashcraft, now married with two children and living on San Juan Island, Wash., spoke about her ordeal on a recent visit to Chicago. She said: I will never understand why Richard died and I lived, except that he saved my life by having me go below.. Stay in the know with local, state and national political news delivered to your inbox every Friday. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Already registered? The ocean was as much their home as the land was, and at times, it felt even more so. (`|%l[,Yf`/XhD0UZI#9^lMG=3pdFlT"lrda9x Y8|11P + -%]1Fl}qC^9"4nGf'1(0&$k]N [rm!] d! Tami Lee Oldham Ashcraft (ne Oldham) is an American sailor and author who, in 1983, survived 41 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Lover of Brit killed by giant wave in yacht disaster reveals tra Please wait for the page to reload. Tami Oldham-Ashcraft wrote a book about her horrifying ordeal, Red Sky In Mourning: A True Story Of Love, Loss, and Survival At Sea, which was the basis for the film. Just get through one thing at a time and remain focused and determined and keep going. Hi, to comment on stories you must create a commenting profile. Directed by Baltasar Kormkur, from a screenplay by Aaron and Jordan Kandell and David Branson Smith, based on a book by Tami Oldham Ashcraft and Susea McGearhart. Tami Oldham Ashcraft's Life Now Tami Oldham Ashcraft is a true heroine and a survivor. It was later translated into eight languages, published in fifteen countries and has now been made into a movie, appropriately titled Adrift. It would be impossible to not be authentic given the circumstances.. I was never going to fall in love again. On Oct. 12, shortly after Sharp told her to go below deck to rest, Ashcraft heard Sharp scream and was knocked unconscious as she was thrown against the cabin wall when the boat capsized. The film has her coming to and finding Richard badly injured, leaving her the only one able to operate and repair the yacht, which she does under Richard's guidance. Q. . With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. Don't have a commenting profile? C` H(g3&Ebb2mmx8}`-cGUIhk?mk\KoZ In September 1983, 23-year-old Tami Oldham Ashcraft's future seemed as idyllic as the South Pacific islands she and her fiance, Richard Sharp, had been cruising for the past six months. There was no closure for me then. Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. When she awoke 27 hours later, she was in the cabin of their 44-foot yacht, laying in several feet of water, surrounded by debris. Success. She self-published her book in 1998 after several publishers had rejected it. It wasnt as intense as when I got to shore, the survival was over and I could see people together and everything kept reminding me of him. &I> H, B,Y@r*(u"LPWruqWbjF/6A`?'KQi2|1Drf=1vkYsxe.dU5ZA;:dO[A'Z0=zO}mYXbkB_3 G~Du"fU%!0]vC2b>7 @0X9H^qpH8 -{fZm`A L$F5iNMEdT\d$`E! Not so much. Though she still carries the memory of her experience and her fianc with her every day, shes gotten married, has two children, and is the picture of happiness. How old is Tami Oldham Ashcraft? Tami Oldham reveals the harrowing experience of when her dream adventure turned into a real life nightmare. When she awoke, she was surrounded by destruction. But that survival instinct [while at sea] just kicked in. Public-school educated Richard, from Cornwall, had been set to follow his officer father into the Royal Navy, but was thrown out of the academy for insubordination. Alone, terrified, injured with a bad cut on her head, and grieving for her fiance, Ashcraft nonetheless managed to rig a makeshift sail from a broken spinnaker pole and an extra storm jib and pump the water out of the cabin. I just put it on the back burner. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As they were already in the path of the storm, the couple attempted to weather it, donning raincoats and boarding up the yacht. For other inquiries, Contact Us. It helped me to focus, to keep myself on track.. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. She created a makeshift sail and rigged up a way to pump water from the cabin. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more She talks about Shailene Woodley playing her and how Tami Oldham Ashcraft Career. .