The film is based to a small extent on the story of two experienced sailors who started together on a 6500-kilometer journey with the Yacht from Tahiti to San Diego. The two are Tami Oldham Ashcraft and Richard Sharp, and they are also loved. After spending time on the water, they are caught by the violent Uragan Raymond and have no chance of avoiding it, so they are hit hard. After more than a day of unconsciousness, Ashcraft wakes up and realizes that Sharp is forgiven, and their craft is destroyed. Having no hope of being saved, Ashcraft improvises a raft to use in Hilo, Hawaii.