Defying Death on the Atlantic

Sun, May 25 11:00 A.M. NHPBS (11.1)

"The World's Toughest Row" is an extreme race featuring unassisted rowing boats that cross the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Antigua. For a team of four Air Force veterans, this challenge was the ultimate test of body and mind, as well as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for other vets experiencing mental illness. The journey was incredible. The team trained hard and felt prepared for the grueling physical and mental beating the race would offer. But nothing could have prepared them for the sudden, unrelenting, and raging storm that sent a 30-foot swell with a 50-knot wind gust that violently capsized their boat. The team raced against all odds to get back to shore, but a damaged raft and failing technological support limited their capacity to fight the current. Fortunately, an atmospheric miracle enabled their mayday signal to reach a giant freighter, which eventually tracked them down and came to their rescue. Narrated by actor William Fichtner, DEFYING DEATH ON THE ATLANTIC is an hour-long documentary that tells their story. It features the four veterans who refused to give up and, despite incredible odds, continued to support each other until they were rescued. They began this journey to encourage other veterans to share their stories in the hope of healing. Now, they have the ultimate story to share.

Duration: 56 minutes and 46 seconds