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Morning News

Linda Greenlaw Discusses Surviving 'The Perfect Storm'

Aired June 30, 2000 - 9:24 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: That was actual videotape of the storm in New England back in 1991. And the movie "The Perfect Storm," based on a best-selling book, tells the story of the Andrea Gail and its crew, lost in that ferocious storm in the North Atlantic.

This morning, we talked with one of the people portrayed in that movie. Linda Greenlaw is a sea captain, one of the few women involved in the commercial fishing industry. She has also written a book of her own, "The Hungry Ocean." Linda is with us live this morning from New York.

Good morning to you.

LINDA GREENLAW, AUTHOR, "THE HUNGRY OCEAN": Good morning.

HEMMER: You've seen the movie. What is it like for a New England gal to see herself portrayed in a big Hollywood production like that?

GREENLAW: Pretty exciting. I will tell you what, I am absolutely thrilled.

HEMMER: Was the movie accurate, based on what your recollection is?

GREENLAW: Well, I think the special effects were wonderful. As far as realistic weather, it is absolutely amazing that Warner Brothers was able to create the storm without actually leaving the dock, totally mind boggling.

HEMMER: Do you remember that day very much in 1991?

GREENLAW: I remember parts of it. And I think probably the worst part of the storm for me was listening to the boats west of me, on the radio, listening to it all play out, and anticipating the weather moving to the east where I was, knowing that that was coming my way. It was pretty scary.

HEMMER: I've read the book by Sebastian Junger. I read it about two years ago. My recollection is still quite clear about it. I remember a description that described the sea as ferocious. What was it a like for you, though?

GREENLAW: Well, as I said, the worst part of it was listening to it on the radio.

HEMMER: What about the seas, Linda, how ferocious?

GREENLAW: Well, absolutely terrifying. We had, to the west of me, 100 knots of wind. I had 70 knots of wind for a couple of days. You know, people usually ask about wave height. It is hard to say when you are on a boat, you are up, you are down. Fisherman usually talk in terms of velocity of the wind. It is really hard to say how high the waves were, but very scary.

HEMMER: Do you think that could have been prevented?

GREENLAW: No, I don't think it could have been prevented. By the nature of where we fish, we are 1,000 miles from Glauchester at a minimum, impossible to run ashore every time there is a low pressure system. This was pretty much unpredicted. Three systems came together, the perfect storm. Hopefully, a once in a lifetime weather occurrence.

HEMMER: You are still working, right? still fishing?

GREENLAW: I am, I am lobstering.

HEMMER: How has it changed your life?

GREENLAW: How has the storm changed my life?

HEMMER: Yes, has it impacted you in any way? Do you fear things more than you had before or not?

GREENLAW: No, not really. I've been fishing, in 1991, when the storm occurred, I had been fishing the Grand Banks for 10 years, had known of men and boats that had gone down. That one hit a little closer to home because, you know, I was friendly with the six men who were lost in the Andrea Gail. But, you know, I like to think that there is something separates survivors from those who don't, and it is something other than luck. So do thing right, and do the best you can. I've always enjoyed the way of life, and the loss of friends didn't keep me from fishing.

HEMMER: Well, your book is called "The Hungry Ocean," about a 30-day sword fishing trip, we will check it out. Thanks for stopping by with us, and the best of luck to you. Linda Greenlaw, live in New York, thanks again.

GREENLAW: Thank you.

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