For the past several hundred years rum has enjoyed a unique, adoring relationship with sailors. Barbancourt, Mount Gay, Bacardi, Clement: Look into the spirits locker of most sailboats and you’ll find such a bottle.
One of the classic stories of survival at sea is Steve Callahan’s account of his 76 days adrift in the Atlantic Ocean in 1982 after his boat was holed in the middle of the night by what he believes was a whale. There are, of course, other survival stories, some even longer than 76 days, but what makes Callahan’s story of particular interest is Callahan himself. Yacht designer, builder and experienced sailor, he was well qualified to participate in the grueling Mini-Transat Race. He had a good, well-found vessel thoroughly prepared for its upcoming voyage. Yet he ended up setting a record for the longest solo survival in an inflatable raft.
