need to add title here

Live To Tell: Black Wave

March 4, 2009 7:24 AM

In Full: A shipwreck on the high seas forces a woman to make an unthinkable choice: save her husband or her children? Jean Silverwood tells her family's story on "Live To Tell."

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by garciaco49 October 15, 2009 12:30 AM EDT
Bad quality video.
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by skepticalJM September 9, 2009 12:37 PM EDT
Some people don't know what's important in life!
This was a horrendous story about a totally irresponsible parent who put his whole family at risk for nothing!
He doesn't deserve such a family. He deserves to be put in jail for abuse!
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by ibtnm August 30, 2009 3:52 AM EDT
Who would do this trip. I watched the first 3 min and it was a joke. I guess they used the force to now the weather, coodinates. 2 years what a joke. The kids are a so young. What self absorbed parents. Arrogance is so evident!!!!!!
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by Solomon2424 August 16, 2009 7:06 PM EDT
I totally agree with the other comments. These parents are TOTALLY at fault! I can't believe how selfish these people are that they would put their entire family at risk. I also couldn't believe that the rescuers gave an award to the father...the one person who was most responsible for risking his families lives! If anyone should have gotten the award it should have been the oldest son Ben, who is obviously a very brave, intelligent young man with more common sense than his parents!
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by JMillerO August 5, 2009 9:36 AM EDT
Anytime you can dream a more interesting, compelling life, than the one offered by stagnant suburbia and the local shopping mall...then go for it. I commend the Silverwoods for challenging themselves even when it took a disasterous turn. What I want to know is, who do you think risks his kid's lives more, the Silverwoods, or the guy and his wife living on the island with their 14 kids? Think those kids get an education beyond the perimeters of their isle? Think they will ever have the opportunity to travel the world, try new foods, see new places, meet new people? This trip tightened this family's bonds. Not sure the dad needed a medal of bravery...should have handed it over to his wife and eldest son. Otherwise...tighten the safty belt on your easy chair so you don't fall out, and picky people quit picking on the Silverwoods and pick on yourselves for being so self righteous.
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by boli3 July 22, 2009 6:54 PM EDT
Comments:
-The guy wasn't drinking when this happened, wife said he had quit.
_People criticize his "dream", I don't get that. What's wrong with following a dream? What sort of cool stuff do your kids do? These kids are better for it.
_Black Wave? That's a big wave, AFTER you hit a well charted reef. Sort of dumb but dumb is forgivable, just don't blame it on something else.
_They are snobish and spoiled,every one of the family.
_The real heroes are the family that came to get them, the ones that didn't have any "blood" (med kits) but who also brought them to dry land and a "Nice big breakfast layed out for us". "This is our RESCUE!?" Yes, it is, be thankful. An island just over the horizon is a long way away (approx 20 miles). They never thanked the family, just the coasties.
_The kid did a great job but I'm not surprised and he's not a hero, just a smart kid.
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by nicknat9 June 13, 2009 3:50 PM EDT
I don't think people should try to relate to these people's wealth whatsoever because the story is not about wealth but about tradegy that can happen to anyone traveling anywhere on any vehicle or a boat. This is about people coping in a very hard situation. So, please stop being jelaous about their wealth and that you can not relate to it, be compassion to anyone rich or poor.
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by MommyFirst May 28, 2009 2:12 AM EDT
omg that story was so touching..........I thought the Dad died for awhile........what a wonderful family........I would however never step foot on a boat again lol
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by March 16, 2009 10:38 PM EDT
I'm not rich; nurses wages and I sure can relate. If I did have their money it would be exactly the type of thing that I would be doing with my money.

I'm so glad you all made it out alive.
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by 1LifeForce March 16, 2009 2:51 AM EDT
It is a remarkable story with a very fortunate and positive outcome. I wonder why commenting others feel that they cannot also have good things occure for themselves in their own life. There is nothing wrong with having wealth. These sorts of individuals live in their own self made boxes of sorts and wallow in negativity. It is sad. I read the book writen of this story. I enjoyed it. It certainly goes into a lot more than a 1 hr. show could.
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by shellinFL March 16, 2009 12:06 AM EDT
Amazing story- I'm glad everyone made it out alive.
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by godsfiddler March 15, 2009 12:04 PM EDT
As for the father being alcoholic, I think that's very harsh to pass judgment like that, especially since his drinking binge happened some time before the wreck.

"The truth can set him free, & allow his family to stop enabling him."

Remove the beam from your own eye first.
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by godsfiddler March 15, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
I think of it this way. The steerage on the Titanic suffered about the same type of tragedy. That's how I try to relate, as I also cannot relate to their wealth.
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by horsechick_413 March 13, 2009 7:02 PM EDT
This is an amazing story. I'm glad you guys are okay. Ben you are awesome!! we miss you at bible study
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by Ma'Lorie March 6, 2009 5:08 AM EST
I hope & pray that this alcoholic father realizes that it is solely his fault, that this horrific event would not have occured if it had not been for his desire to drink. If he cannot see this, than he needs to work the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. His family nearly paid for his desire to drink. The truth can set him free, & allow his family to stop enabling him. May The Blessings Be.
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by geena5 March 5, 2009 4:36 AM EST
I think it is hard to relate to this family because this seems like a rich person's tragedy, this kind of thing doesn't seem like the normal kind of problem, being shipwrecked from your private boat, etc. I think that's why it is hard to really appreciate the hardships this family went through, must be nice to own a boat and sail everywhere, I don't have my own boat.
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by Ilove48hours March 5, 2009 12:32 AM EST
This was the WORST episode in history ever. 2 Main Points:

1) It had SO MUCH potential to be one of the best regarding storyline dilemma of whether she saves her kids or her husband. HOWEVER, after first 5 minutes u see clips of her kids talking....TRANSLATION the kids apparently survived (gee mystery solved)..so all that is left is whether dad made it out alive or not. I agree w/ above poster who said "not much mystery"

2) The "Live to Tell" series is REALLY good. The first two (the one with the the cop and the 2 college kids) had me on edge of seat. Their stories were remarkable and the producers did a good job telling their story. 10 out of 10. However, this past week's story about the boat...i give it maybe 2 out of 10 at best...complete YAWN. I stopped watching after the 30 minute mark (and I usually watch entire episode).
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by dmhphils March 4, 2009 5:06 AM EST
What? Not enough mysteries? Not saying it isn't a great story, but.....I broke my jaw in two places when my head slipped off my hand onto the desk when I fell asleep. Later.
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by Rej77 March 3, 2009 8:38 PM EST
I enjoyed watching this real-life adventure. Thank God that everyone made it through safely! What valuable life lessons they've learned. They all seem stronger for what they've been through.
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by Westsail March 2, 2009 11:34 PM EST
You must be landlubbers...I would like to add, my father's dream was to sail around the world..so he took his wife and 5 year old daughter and set sail. For 5 years we sailed the Caribbean and East coast. My brother was almost born in the Bahamas and my mom home schooled me.
Some of the most wonderful life experiences happened to me in those 5 years. From what I recall only 2 cost guard calls: 1 for a tow and cut my foot on a can. We survived and have some good stories to tell. Yet I turned out pretty good, at least I like to think so, masters degree, respectable job, and a family.
So I thank my "irresponsible and selfish" father and if I had the chance would take my husband and daughter and set sail tomorrow! Before you jump to all the negatives of taking your family out of our "materialistic society" families have been sailing for years and do just fine if not better! The only thing I liked about returning to land was flushing the toilet, for you landlubbers we had to pump when you used "the head".
OVER AND OUT.
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