Abby Sunderland Quotes

The terrifying physics of going up-mast in heavy seas are inescapable.

I saw the loose tiller jolt hard to the side as the boat began to spin.

Being at sea is like watching the whole world in high-definition.

Slowly, my brain let me in on the fact that I had just come this close to dying.

Just like that, a single phone call erased one possible, horrendous future—and replaced it with the bright certainty that God had answered the prayers of thousands and that their beloved Abby was coming home.

I am twelve thousand miles wiser, twelve thousand miles more resilient, and I have twelve thousand miles more faith in God.

But the more times she missed, the faster she’d be traveling when she finally slammed into the mast. And it wasn’t if she hit the mast; it was when. At that point, Abby would be either severely injured or dead.

It was dark. Something had fallen on top of the cabin light, turning the cabin into a black tunnel. I couldn’t hear anything at all. The roll didn’t stop. It continued to port, and for just a few seconds I was sitting on the ceiling in the dark.

I knew that even if I was able to call for help, I was in a place so remote that it wasn’t likely there would be anyone who could help me. And even if there were, it could take weeks.

I will never forget the feeling of walking into my home, a place that while drifting helpless in the middle of the Indian Ocean I wondered if I would ever see again.

When a sailor overcomes crushing adversity, there’s a massive sense of accomplishment.

The swells were amazing! As big as three-story apartment buildings!

Even without looking I knew: there was no way I still had a mast. And without a mast, the trip was over.

The only thing I knew to do was to pray. “Lord, if I’m going to be rescued,” I said out loud, “please let me know.”

I will definitely attempt to sail around the world again. In fact, I can’t wait for the chance to try again.