Likely Stories - A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

Welcome to “Likely Stories.” I’m Diane Kemper.

“A Marriage at Sea,” by Sophie Elmhirst, is the true story of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey from Derby, England.Maurice is moody and lacking confidence. Maralyn is outgoing and everyone’s friend. She covers over his social gaffes, and in their love they find a passion for sailing. They decide they want to get away from the confines of English life so they will live full time on a sailboat of their own design. They sell their home and live like paupers in order to put every penny they can afford into the sailboat. Eventually, they head out in 1972 to New Zealand. England to New Zealand is an approximately 11,000 nautical mile ocean voyage. Deep into the ocean, the unbelievable happens. A whale crashes into their beloved sailboat, and it starts sinking immediately. They grab as much as they can, attach the life raft to the dinghy, for the next 118 days.

Maurice thinks they are doomed from the beginning with no radio to make contact for help, limited food and less water, and no motor. Even though they are in a shipping lane, their chances of being seen are impossible. Maralyn is determined to be encouraging and positive. She writes daily in her diary, sets routines, creates games. They fish for turtles with safety pins on string. It is Maralyn who keeps them alive and sane. Eventually, they are rescued by a Korean fishing ship. The crew is shocked as they can see every bone in Maurice’s and Maralyn’s bodies.

The book then takes us on their next adventure, becoming media darlings. No one really gives them rest or medical care. They are thrown into a worldwide frenzy of interviews, photo sessions, and the retelling of their harrowing story. People just can’t get enough of their tale of survival.
Sometimes I wondered which was the harder to survive, the shipwreck or the intense and often chaotic coverage in many countries.

This is a true story. It is written as a novel, but every word is accurate, taken from the couple’s diaries, interviews, statements, and a book they wrote. I don’t know anything about sailing, but I do know I was shocked over some of their poor decisions in preparing for their trip. It made me tense at every page turn!

“A Marriage at Sea,” by Sophie Elmhirst. Get ready to stay up late reading this true story about sailing, sinking, survival, and rescue.

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