Life on the raft was grim. "It got holed when we launched it and that hole got worse. We were sitting with the water up to our chest. We had salt-water sores all over us and the heat would be taken out of your body – it was horrible. We used to take it in turns to sit on the thwart [seat] because it was dry, and my mum, God bless her, would say, 'Doug, you take my turn.' And she'd sit in the water for another hour." Sleep was impossible, because as soon as they nodded off, their heads would hit the water and they'd jump awake. Lyn was terrified that the twins would drown in their sleep. Day 10 – By now everyone had saltwater boils, there was not much water left and the raft needed to be constantly inflated. Day 14 – The raft was in even more poor condition, there was water flooding into it and a need for constant bailing. It was the beginning of the end for the raft. Caught a small turtle. Caught the blood in bailers and drank it.

After setting sail from Falmouth, the Robertsons spent the first 18 months sailing across the Atlantic and stopping at various Caribbean ports. Anne decided to retire from the voyage in the Bahamas and the family welcomed Robin Williams, a 22-year-old Welsh graduate in economics and statistics, to join them on their onward voyage to New Zealand, via the Panama Canal and the Galapagos Islands. Douglas believes, most fervently, that this frustration was behind his father's violent outbursts. It certainly made him disposed to want to begin again. So when Neil, then nine, asked why they couldn't sail around the world like the yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston, Dougal leapt at the idea. As did Douglas. "I wanted to go to university and be a geologist, but sailing around the world seemed a much better option," he recalls. The only person with reservations was his mother. "She was aware of the dangers. She considered the risk. For Dad it was an escape, so he didn't consider the risk. They argued about it. Mum probably hoped it would be a passing phase, but then we sold the farm." Ednamair at National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth where she is on permanent display (Image: Lynn Vosper)They had no maps, compass or instruments and nobody knew they were missing. Their fight for survival had begun. Turtle became the mainstay of their diet. They ate the meat and eggs and drank the blood. The raft was leaking and they were all sitting in water up to their chests, giving them saltwater boils. They set up a makeshift fishing line but wily sharks stole any fish which were caught. Day 36 – The seas were rough and squally. Clothes were tattered and threadbare, but Lyn washed and mended them. The twins were very thin, Neil was emaciated, and Sandy had a cough, possibly pneumonia. If he did not improve, they would have to start rowing with or without reserves of water. Then there is Albert, a male nurse they met in Miami. "Albert was a very nice man, a very friendly man," Douglas recalls, "but he had a motive – me." He says he still feels let down that his father didn't protect him. The book alludes to "inappropriate sexual connotations" but is hazy about specifics. Did Albert make a pass at him. "Yeah, he did." Did he succeed? "Somewhat, yeah," he says, quietly.

The youngest of eight children, Dougal Robertson had been a master mariner in east Asia, but gave it up after meeting his wife, Lyn, in Hong Kong in 1952 to become a farmer. To understand how the Robertsons survived their ordeal, you only need look at their previous life at Meadows Farm, in Staffordshire. It was a lesson in deprivation. No running water or electricity until Douglas was 10. No TV, set, only paraffin lamps and candles. No money for children's shoes. "Dad's life was terrifically hard," says Douglas. "He was very frustrated – he saw his brothers and sisters sending their children off to university and private school, the sorts of things he was no longer able to provide." Douglas is still critical of this decision. "He was a professional man and he became a farmer. I wish he'd stayed a professional man." On Day 29 Dougal caught a 5ft Mako shark, hauled it on board and cut its head off. The severed head closed its mouth on his hand and drew blood. He kept the teeth as a souvenir. By Day 36 clothes were tattered and threadbare but Lyn washed and mended them - her sewing kit proved a vital lifeline. The twins were very thin by this stage - Neil was emaciated and Sandy had a cough, possibly pneumonia. a b Robertson, Douglas (2005). The Last Voyage of the Lucette. Dobbs Ferry, New York: Sheridan House. pp.15–26. ISBN 9781574092066 . Retrieved 8 April 2018. The Ednamair was named after Lyn’s sisters, Edna and Mary. Edna had given the family the money to buy the dinghy. Dad always felt guilty," concludes Douglas. "He always said, 'I don't know why I did it. I could have taken you to the Mediterranean – that would have done. I didn't have to take you around the world.' But we would say, 'Dad, we survived! You helped us! We did it!'"For many years after the rescue the Edmamair had been in the care of Edna, but later was brought to Falmouth where she had begun her voyage and was donated to National Maritime Museum Cornwall. On 26 November 2008, Douglas Robertson gave a lecture entitled ‘The Last Voyage of the Lucette’ which was held at the museum. One of the great surprises in the new book is that they set off from Falmouth astonishingly unprepared. Dougal was an experienced sailor and Anne had learned the basics, but the children had no experience whatsoever. 'I still can't believe that!' cries Douglas. 'Why didn't we learn to sail in those quiet waters at Falmouth? We went straight into a force 10 gale and it was horrific. I had no idea what to do.'

Robertson, Douglas (2005), The Last Voyage of the Lucette, Woodbridge, Suffolk: Seafarer Books, ISBN 1-57409-206-5 Herman, Robin (9 September 1973). "Six Survive 37 Days on Ocean in 9-foot Dinghy". The New York Times. ProQuest 119831348 . Retrieved 20 October 2021. Dawidziak, Mark (5 January 1992). "ABC's 'Survive the Savage Sea' is an Anchor Dropping Drama". Akron Beacon Journal . Retrieved 20 October 2021.

Castaways – Day 2

The Volvo Ocean Race broke with tradition by starting outside the UK In 2005-06, the Volvo Ocean Race broke with tradition by starting outside the UK, from Vigo, Spain, to Cape Town, South Africa. Introducing the Volvo Open 70 boat class added excitement but posed challenges on the 31,000 nautical mile global route. My mother's fault I'm afraid,' says Douglas. 'She'd argue about not having electricity at the farm and not having proper running water or shoes for the kids, and Dad didn't need that.' On Day 15 Dougal dived in and swam to retrieve the dinghy which had broken free from the raft. Exhausted, he somehow found the strength and escaped the sharks. It was at this stage that Lyn suggested using the water from the bottom of the dinghy in the form of enemas. It was too foul to drink, but would allow their bodies to keep hydrated. Douglas crafted the makeshift equipment and everyone except Robin accepted the enemas. Douglas believes his parents never stopped loving each other. Dougal died from cancer, aged 67, and for the last three years of his life, Lyn nursed him at their daughter's house. She died aged 75, also from cancer. Douglas went on to join the navy, and then became an accountant. He has five children from two relationships.

Fork in the Road takes line honours in race to Stormy Bay Bakewell White Fork in the Road took Line Honours in the Professional Plumbing Two Capes Race hosted by the Derwent Sailing Squadron, and with it a new race record of 19:29:39, shaving a full 30 minutes off 2022's record set by Inglis 47 Advantedge. Once on the raft, he and his father came up with the plan that saved their lives: rather than aiming for land, they decided to aim for water – which meant sailing 400 miles north to the Doldrums. The first turtle was caught later that day and was killed taking great care not to spill any blood into the sea that would attract sharks. Jesús Vidaña and two other Mexican fishermen who survived in the Pacific Ocean for approximately 9 months from October 2005 to August 2006. Day 35 – Huge deluge of rain. Filled the containers, tins and plastic bag with water. Enemas for everyone for digestive reasons. Found five holes in the flotation collar.

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Day 28 – By morning there was a rough southerly swell with 20-foot waves. Continuous bailing needed. Heading north-east. Luna Rossa pleased with design progress made in Cagliari despite losing day to light winds Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailed in light winds of up to 9kts at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and tested using two boats in development mode. Two other teams INEOS Britannia and Orient Express Racing Team also sailed in their One-Design configurations.