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48 Hours

Voyage, shipwreck and rescue of the Silverwood family

/ CBS News

The Emerald Jane ran aground on a reef in French Polynesia on June 25, 2005.
French Navy
The Emerald Jane ran aground on a reef in French Polynesia on June 25, 2005. This photo was taken a day after the wreck. The Silverwood family never imagined their dream voyage would end like this.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Emerald Jane, the Silverwood family's 55-foot catamaran
The Silverwood Family
Long before the wreck, the Silverwoods enjoy their time on their prized possession - the Emerald Jane, a 55-foot catamaran. This photo was taken at the beginning of their two-year journey in the summer of 2003.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Jean Silverwood, at the wheel, joined by her children, from left, Amelia, Camille, Ben and Jack
The Silverwood Family
Jean Silverwood, at the wheel, joined by her children, from left, Amelia, Camille, Ben and Jack, for dinner on board the boat.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Captain John Silverwood, dressed as "King Neptune," celebrates crossing the equator into the Southern Hemisphere.
The Silverwood Family
Captain John Silverwood, dressed as "King Neptune," celebrates crossing the equator into the Southern Hemisphere.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Jack, the "nature boy" of the family, never missed a chance to explore life under the sea. Here he is bringing back a live octopus to show his family.
The Silverwood Family
Jack - the "nature boy" of the family - never missed a chance to explore life under the sea. Here he is bringing back a live octopus to show his family.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Camille, the youngest member of the Silverwood family, takes time out for a little nap on deck.
The Silverwood Family
Camille, the youngest member of the Silverwood family, takes time out for a little nap on deck.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Jack and Camille watch as the locks of the Panama Canal open to the Pacific Ocean and the adventures ahead.
The Silverwood Family
Jack and Camille watch as the locks of the Panama Canal open to the Pacific Ocean and the adventures ahead.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

An aerial view of the wreck. John Silverwood lies in the red raft waiting to be airlifted away to a hospital. No one realized that it would take many more hours before medical help was able to get to him.
French Navy
An aerial view of the wreck. John Silverwood lies in the red raft waiting to be airlifted away to a hospital. No one realized that it would take many more hours before medical help was able to get to him.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

The nearly two-year journey of the Silverwoods and the Emerald Jane started at Long Island Sound in August 2003. The trip ended abruptly on June 25, 2005, when the catamaran struck a hidden reef in French Polynesia.
CBS News
The nearly two-year journey of the Silverwoods and the Emerald Jane started at Long Island Sound in August 2003. The trip ended abruptly on June 25, 2005, when the catamaran struck a hidden reef in French Polynesia.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Members of the Taputo family, from an island near the wreck site, arrive in a small wooden boat to try and assist the Silverwoods. They were alerted by the French Navy via a message in a bottle.
French Navy
Members of the Taputo family, from an island near the wreck site, arrive in a small wooden boat to try and assist the Silverwoods. They were alerted by the French Navy via a message in a bottle.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

This aerial shot shows both the wreck site and the reef area where Ben Silverwood managed to get his family to safety.
French Navy
This aerial shot shows both the wreck site and the reef area where Ben Silverwood managed to get his family to safety.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Diane, left, and Papa Taputo, center, live with their 14 children on an island near the wreck site. They did their best to care for the Silverwoods while waiting for the rescue helicopter to arrive. Ben Silverwood, right, stands over his father, who is in
French Navy
Diane, left, and Papa Taputo, center, live with their 14 children on an island near the wreck site. They did their best to care for the Silverwoods while waiting for the rescue helicopter to arrive. Ben Silverwood, right, stands over his father, who is in the life raft (with blue blanket).

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

The French Navy helicopter arrives on the reef to airlift the Silverwoods to Bora Bora. It took the helicopter all morning to reach them due to their remote location.
French Navy
The French Navy helicopter arrives on the reef to airlift the Silverwoods to Bora Bora. It took the helicopter all morning to reach them due to their remote location.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Members of the French Navy assist the Silverwood children as they make their way to the helicopter that will airlift them to safety. They are almost out of danger.
French Navy
Members of the French Navy assist the Silverwood children as they make their way to the helicopter that will airlift them to safety. They are almost out of danger.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

The French Navy helicopter arrives on the reef to airlift the Silverwoods to Bora Bora. It took the helicopter all morning to reach them due to their remote location.
French Navy
The helicopter arrives at Bora Bora. John Silverwood is finally transported to a jet and is rushed to a hospital in Tahiti as his condition worsens.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Members of the French Navy try to load John Silverwood onto the jet through the side door, but the stretcher can't fit. It's yet another roadblock in getting John to a hospital.
French Navy
Members of the French Navy try to load John Silverwood onto the jet through the side door, but the stretcher can't fit. It's yet another roadblock in getting John to a hospital.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

Members of the French Navy figure out a way to load John onto the jet through the bomb bay doors in the belly of the plane. They need to get him to a hospital in Tahiti quickly.
French Navy
Members of the French Navy figure out a way to load John onto the jet through the bomb bay doors in the belly of the plane. They need to get him to a hospital in Tahiti quickly.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

John Silverwood makes it through surgery. He lost almost 3/4 of his blood and his left leg is amputated above the knee, but he is just happy to be alive. He is even happier that his family made it through the ordeal.
Van Zwam Family
John makes it through surgery. He lost almost 3/4 of his blood and his left leg is amputated above the knee, but he is just happy to be alive. He is even happier that his family made it through the ordeal.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

John Silverwood surrounded by his family leaving Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport for transport back to Los Angeles. They are wearing traditional Polynesian shell leis given to them by the members of the French Navy, who saved their lives.
Van Zwam Family
John Silverwood surrounded by his family leaving Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport for transport back to Los Angeles. They are wearing traditional Polynesian shell leis given to them by the members of the French Navy, who saved their lives.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave

The Silverwood family together again in La Jolla, Calif., in August 2007. Their story is documented in the book, "Black Wave."
Michael Spengler
The Silverwood Family together again in La Jolla, Calif., in August 2007. Their story is documented in the book, "Black Wave." Click here to learn more and to read an excerpt.

Video: "48 Hours" Live to Tell: Black Wave
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