outstanding read...the story behind the story

Would you listen to Fatal Forecast again? Why?

I was a 20 something USCG HU16 fixed wing pilot. I got called in to do a SAR mission, we found a New Bedford fishing boat crew in a wooden dory, after their boat sank. I remember the wind was howling with 20 foot seas on a clear sunny fall day. I never knew the whole story ..now I do! great book BTW,,,being a USCG Helo pilot is the most dangerous flying in the US Military.

11 people found this helpful

Waves as High as a Three Story House

This is the true story of two small fishing boats, the Fair Wind and the Sea Fever The fishing boats had finally reached their destination, at Georges Bank just southeast of Cape Cod. The month was November and there would be no more fishing until next year.

The weather forecast at 11pm the night before was good. However, soon after the fishermen arrived they were hit with a hurricane. The waves were absolutely unbelievable, reaching as high as 90 feet. The wind was blowing extremely hard and in the wrong direction. Therefore, the fishing boats were unable to turn and head for home.

The Fair Wind did not survive the storm, it capsized. There was only one survivor, the captain of Fair Wind, Ernie Hazard. He was determined not to fall into the ravaging waters and die. Ernie saw a miracle, there was a lifeboat tethered to the Fair Wind but it was different from all other lifeboats. He was able to reach it and was amazed because it resembled a tent. Ernie spent three days in that lifeboat before he was rescued. The weather was cold and Ernie was wearing jeans, a tee shirt and shoes.

The Sea Fever made it through the hurricane but did lose one of their men. They were able to alert rescuers where the Fair Wind was. Everyone was exhausted but knowing that there was a boat that had capsized but may have men that survived they could not consciously leave anyone who may be alive. The plane lifted off and began the search for Ernie.

The book gives the listener an accurate account of what happened at George Bank, on that fateful day. The action and suspense was written in such a way that you were looking up and trying to envision a 90 ft. wave. I was so engrossed while listening, that I finished listening to the book in one day.

I think that the book was the special for the day. I wasn't convinced by reading the summary but I did put it in the cart. I came back later and purchased the book and I am certainly glad that I did. Purchase the book and listen how dangerous it is when you are in the midst of a hurricane and on a small fishing boat out on the sea. What an adventure. The narrator, was great and told the story so well that I was amazed. The Fatal Forecast is worth purchasing.

10 people found this helpful

Good story with so-so delivery.

The author kept going down rabbit holes with details of unrelated tragedies. The delivery was monotone and sounded like it was being read, not experienced. There was too much casual cheerfulness in the voice for the experiences.

4 people found this helpful

Good story.

The story is very good. The writing is equally good but the narration is pretty bad. He had a really good voice but he rushed through the entire book. He needed to slow down and take his time.

3 people found this helpful

Enjoyable but confusing

I was really not certain that the other fishermen in the Fair Wind didn’t survive until the end of the book. It’s one of those books that I feel like you have to go back and listen to again to capture all of the fine details. The author did a great job of describing the intensity of the storm along with how the weather buoys play a huge part in accurate oceanic forecasting. Ernie was one tough guy abs and incredible fight to survive.

3 people found this helpful

A Master Storyteller

Michael Tougias is a master of his genre. I have listened to several of his books and have yet to be disappointed with any of his writings. They are all interesting — even fascinating — and they are filled with respect for the fishermen, seamen and aircrew who regularly risk their lives as a condition of the work they do.

2 people found this helpful

exciting story and great performance

this was an exciting story. well writen and very well told. one of the best narrators i've heard on audible. hard to turn off but didn't have time to listen all the way through in one sittting but i might have if i could have. if it piqued your interest enough to look at the details here i'm sure you will be happy you got it and listened.

2 people found this helpful

Against impossible odds

Interesting story of survival against an unbelievable storm. A great short article padded to expand it to book length.

2 people found this helpful

Superb Account of the Epic Disaster

This was a hard to put down story about the tragic and heroic events of a rare storm that was similar to the conditions in the Perfect Storm. The missed forecast due to a malfunctioning weather buoy that NOAA chose not to repair quickly had tremendous consequences for the fishermen who relied on accurate weather information. Author Douglas puts you in the boats with the fishermen and Coast Guardsmen. The epic story of Ernie Hazzard's survival is simply amazing as well. Expertly written and researched, it is an unforgettable story. I read this book using immersion reading and narrator Jeff Cummings was superb.

2 people found this helpful

Rivals The Perfect Storm

What made the experience of listening to Fatal Forecast the most enjoyable?

The narrator is excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

The author brought the reality of these characters into focus for the reader. I liked them all and found myself holding my breath as parts of the story unfolded.

What about Jeff Cummings’s performance did you like?

He gave a clear and measured reading of a very tense, emotional story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh yes, it was. If only I was living the kind of life that allowed such a luxury. But alas, work calls on a daily basis, and I must answer.

Any additional comments?

This true story portrays great heroism and angst as in The Perfect Storm, except that in Fatal Forecast, most of those involved survive. This particular tragedy was due not to the storm so much as to the administrators of the weather service, who neglected to properly maintain storm warning equipment. Fishermen count on regular and presumably accurate forecasts in planning their fishing ventures. On this occasion, the forecast was delayed and erroneous, and directly responsible for the deaths that resulted.

4 people found this helpful