Donna Lange’s storm ordeal ends safely in Bermuda

by Jane Pares and Will Barbeau on 22 Apr 2007
'I am safe and sound in Bermuda….. Wow! It is surreal.. The intensity of the storm, torrential rains, equipment failures, 36 hours on deck hand steering….. I have never known such exhaustion, but I sailed the Storm!'

Captain Donna Lange, 45, and her storm-damaged 28 foot sloop, 'Inspired Insanity,' were towed into St George, Bermuda, last night after a gruelling 36 hour stint at the tiller without sleep.

She was en route from the British Virgin Islands to Bristol, R.I. to receive a number of awards and honors for completing a 31,000 circumnavigation in her Bristol-built boat. The storm that re-routed her to Bermuda, reached monstrous proportions, ravaging much of the mid west and eastern seaboard of the US.

During the night of Sunday 15th April it escalated to its most intense and Donna experienced 60 knot guests and 40ft seas. Around 06.00 on Monday morning 'a huge wave broke completely over the port stern quarter, throwing us fully onto our side, I was literally holding my breath underwater, holding onto the dodger with all my life.'

She set her sea anchor and headed down below after 10 exhausting hours on deck. She was greeted with hayhem! Large items were still secured, but smaller ones were scattered everywhere, milk powder splattered across the whole interior.

On Monday afternoon the sea anchor parted and Donna had to dredge up all her strength to go up on deck and face the unimaginably violent conditions. Her faithful Cape Horn steering gear was damaged. She had no choice now, but to hand steer to the nearest refuge - Bermuda, 185 miles to the east. After 3 days and 2 nights exposed to hurricane force winds, driving rain and breaking waves, she was close to the limits of her endurance.

'I get completely overwhelmed at times and then angry it is so hard and then peace comes as I know I will make it safe and sound and the horrors of watching each escalating gust, taking each wave in the face, being uncomfortable, the floods, the chaos down below … will wash away in the hugs of new friends in Bermuda.'

Behind scenes her team had already been in contact with Bermuda Operations and Bermuda Radio. Bermuda Radio gave Will Barbeau a way point for Donna to bring her safely to the Sea Buoy. On Thursday morning, Donna called Brian Oatley of the St Georges Dinghy and Sports Club.

Sounding incoherent and totally exhausted he put out to sea immediately, reaching her in about 15 minutes at the Sea Buoy. Inspired Insanity was sailing along nicely in 20 knots of breeze with just a jib up. 'We pulled up along side of her and there she stood in the cockpit with the biggest grin on her face! Although she was worn out and tired, she seemed to have a look of relief and satisfaction. She made it!'

During the tow into St George Harbour, she fell to sleep down below! But once on the dock, surrounded by caring people she suddenly perked up and started to relate some of her incredible story. It was an emotional occasion.

She is now recovering in Bermuda and will fly to New York on Monday 23 to be reunited with her family. On Wednesday she will be introduced at Rhode Island House of Representatives, which has prepared a proclamation declaring April 28th ‘Donna Lange Day’. The official ‘Welcome Home Donna Lange’ Ceremony will be held on Sat 28 April 2007 at the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Rhode Island.