On the 20th Anniversary of Exxon Valdez: How a Supertanker Chief Avoided Another Disaster

Feb. 22, 2009 - PRLog -- The Man Overboard, a vivid account of one man’s tumultuous 25 year round-the-world odyssey, shrouded in the haze of drugs and a sea of alcohol, and punctuated by indulgence, abuse, fear, illicit sex, violence, and frequent jail time, is painstakingly and painfully documented in this 500 page memoir. As the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez disaster approaches on March 24th, 2009, former supertanker Navigator and Chief Mate Darryl Hagar releases his colorful and candid memoir of his experiences at sea, infamous exploits in port, and the drama of his recovery and redemption.

Targeting all who are affected by the tragedy of drug and alcohol abuse, Hagar uses graphic, real-life events detailing his personal voyage into the hell of addiction to convey that no matter how far one sinks there is always hope for recovery. Written in Hagar’s one-of-a-kind raw and rough style, his authentically gruff demeanor is splashed on every page. Drawn in by the compelling tales and sometimes exotic settings, readers will be shocked at this glimpse into the little-exposed epidemic of addiction at sea, and will come away amazed there aren’t more shipping disasters like the Exxon Valdez. But it’s the drama when Hagar returns home and his struggle through recovery that makes the book real and relatable. A broken relationship, nearly losing custody of his son, and alienation from his family and friends are just some of the costs Hagar has paid and portrays faithfully in The Man Overboard.

Darryl Hagar is a native Mainer and a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy. He rose through the ranks to attain Chief Mate of Motor and Steam of any Gross Tons Upon Oceans. Clean and sober for four years, and retired from the shipping industry since 2005, Hagar has dedicated his life to helping others find the path to recovery through public speaking, and leading group sessions in colleges, churches, high schools, prisons, hospital recovery centers and other settings. With the release of The Man Overboard, Hagar hopes to reach even more people in crisis and help them on their voyage to sobriety.

According to Michael Rabinoff D.O. Ph.D., and author of Ending The Tobacco Holocaust, “Darryl Hagar, ‘The Man Overboard,’ is a passionate speaker. He’s down to earth and speaks from his real life experiences... real life stories anyone feel emotionally so that they take his message to heart.”

# # #

Selby Ink is a book publicity firm headed by director Mari Selby that works with authors and publishers whose material makes a difference in our world.