This is an anthology of accounts by some 40 people who have all survived the loss of a yacht at sea. The stories are grouped under the principal causes of loss and each is followed by an analysis of the lessons to be learnt. The groups include - structural damage, gear failure, faulty navigation, stress of weather, exhaustion and crew failure, collision and fire and explosion. The stories include pieces by Conor O'Brien, H.W. Tilman, Frank Mulville and Peter Tangvald.