In August 1981, a routine sailing trip off Florida’s Atlantic coast became a fight for survival that changed 21-year-old Tamara Ennis’s life forever. She and three friends—Randy Cohen, Christy Wapniarski, and boat owner Daniel Perrin—planned a short outing near Ormond Beach. But as they sailed a mile offshore, dark clouds gathered and lightning closed in. Too far out to beat the storm, they chose to wait it out. By then, they were nearly three miles from shore.
A leak in one pontoon soon capsized the catamaran, leaving the group clinging to the remaining float with no life jackets. Hours passed in shark-filled waters, and hope of rescue faded. At dawn, Ennis decided their only chance was to swim for shore. Though Christy couldn’t swim, they all entered the water.
An hour later, Ennis heard Christy scream. She turned to see her friend lifted violently from the water—a shark attack. Forced to swim on, Ennis pushed through fear and exhaustion, eventually separating from the others. After nearly five hours, a lifeguard spotted her close to shore.
Daniel and Randy survived. Christy’s body was never found. The ordeal left Ennis with lasting fears, but also a fierce appreciation for life.
