BBC News reporters Samantha Noble and Pamela Gupta presented the astounding tale of survival of Maralyn and Maurice Bailey, a couple from Derby who endured a harrowing shipwreck in 1973. The story began on March 4th, 1973, when their boat was struck by a whale in the Pacific Ocean, leading to its sinking. Adrift in a dinghy and rubber life raft for nearly four months, the couple’s survival was a testament to their resilience and ingenuity.
Pat Brewin, Maralyn’s sister, recalled the moment she first learned of the shipwreck while watching the News at 10. She vividly described seeing Maralyn and Maurice being rescued and carried onto a Korean boat. The couple’s resourcefulness during their ordeal was remarkable, as they fashioned hooks from safety pins to catch fish, small sharks, seabirds, and turtles for sustenance, while collecting rainwater to drink.
In a twist of fate, Maralyn had suggested to Maurice in 1966 that they sell their house, buy a boat, and live on board. This decision led them to embark on a journey from Southampton to New Zealand aboard their 31ft yacht named Auralyn in 1972. Their journey took a tragic turn when their boat sank on day six of their voyage, leaving them stranded at sea for over 100 days before being rescued by a Korean fishing boat.
The couple’s survival tale, recounted in a book by Sophie Elmhirst, captured the attention of many and earned the Gold Prize at the Nero Book Awards. Pat reminisced about Maralyn’s strength and determination, highlighting her sister’s role in keeping both of them going during their time adrift. The incredible story of Maurice and Maralyn Bailey’s survival against all odds continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide
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