The Fastnet race of 1979 began in perfect weather conditions, but within 48 hours was struck by the deadliest storm in the history of modern sailing.

By the time the storm had passed it had mercilessly taken the lives of fifteen sailors. Abandoned and left for dead by his crewmates - Nick Ward was almost the sixteenth, and was the last to be rescued.

It had been Nick's childhood ambition to sail in the Fastnet race, so being invited to join the crew on the yacht Grimalkin was a dream come true. But the dream turned to a nightmare when, in the midst of colossal waves and unremitting winds, Grimalkin was capsized again and again.

The mast broke off, the skipper was lost overboard, and after hours of exhausting struggle, three of the crew abandoned the boat for the life raft. Nick and his fellow crewmember Gerry, both injured and unconscious, were left on the fated yacht in the middle of the Irish Sea. Both were presumed dead. Gerry died a few hours later, and Nick was left to face the storm alone.

Unable to speak about the traumatic experience for 27 years, Nick Ward will be sharing this moving and inspirational account of his survival with an illustrated talk on Wednesday 26 September at 6.30pm in the Maritime Museum's lecture theatre.

You won't fail to be moved by this extraordinary story of an ordinary man who survived against all the odds. Tickets are available at £6 for lecture only and £15 to include two-course buffet. To book your seats please call 01326 214546. 

Wednesday 26 September 2007 6:30pm 9:30pm