Here's a breakdown of the true events:
* The Setting: Tami, a young sailor, and Richard, an experienced captain, were sailing their yacht, the "Hazana," from Tahiti to San Diego.
* The Storm: On October 29, 1983, they encountered a category 4 hurricane, named "Raymond," which devastated the boat.
* Richard's Injury: Richard was badly injured during the storm, suffering a fractured skull and severe injuries.
* Stranded and Alone: Tami, despite her own injuries, was forced to take control of the sinking boat and try to save both of their lives. She stayed strong for 41 days, navigating the treacherous waters and battling exhaustion, hunger, and thirst.
* Rescue: Eventually, a fishing vessel spotted Tami and her sinking yacht, rescuing her. Richard, unfortunately, did not survive.
* Tami's Courage: Tami's incredible resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable odds made her story an inspiration to many. She later wrote a book about her experience, "Red Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Survival at Sea."
Key Differences from the Film:
* While the film captures the essence of the true story, it does take some creative liberties.
* The film portrays Richard and Tami's relationship as more romantic than it actually was.
* The film also simplifies the complex navigation and seamanship challenges that Tami faced.
* The film is more focused on the emotional journey of the characters, while the actual events were even more intense and harrowing.
Despite these differences, "Adrift" is still a powerful and inspiring story that celebrates the human spirit's ability to endure even the most challenging circumstances. It is based on real events and honors the bravery and resilience of Tami Oldham Ashcraft.