Sam Watts was a 37-year-old fisherman living and working in Canada. One day, Sam planned to head out into the Pacific at 9 am and work straight through until 5pm the next day. Joining Sam would be his crewman, 24-year-old Tom Buck.

Although Sam had been warned that a storm was coming, there was little that would keep him from going. As he sailed through the waves some 120 kilometers from land, Sam let out his three-kilometer-long fishing line. The storm was gaining strength on land but had yet to reach the men far offshore. That changed around 1 am. Waves rocked the small boat, which began to turn sideways like an amusement park ride. "Get us out of here! "Tom screamed to Sam. "Let's go back! "

With the winds and waves kicking up, the boat began to fill with water. Sam and Tom tried to pull in the fishing line together, but the high waves filled the boat with water, forcing Sam to make a hard decision. He cut the line, losing thousands of dollars' worth of equipment and fish in the sea. He then pointed the boat toward a port five hours away. Sam then called his boss, William Fox, to report his position.

With dawn coming, Sam spotted the rise of the mountains on the horizon. He was figuring out a route through the dangerous waters when suddenly the motor stopped. "I couldn't believe it, "Sam said. "We were 24 kilometers off the coast, and the motor died. "High waves raised and dropped the boat, sending the men crashing into the sides. "William, William! "Sam yelled into the radio. "If you're coming to get me, come now! "

 "We're coming! " William shouted back.

Shortly after, the radio died and the wind continued to blow straight offshore, driving the men farther out to sea.

The next morning, Sam spotted a fishing boat in the distance.