challenges experienced were storms requiring numerous boat repairs, waterspouts, excessive exposure to sun, heat, or rain, adverse currents & whirlpools. hazards included drifting onto war-torn timor, unpredictable behaviour/welcome from remote villagers, salt water boils, wound infections, malnutrition, near misses with night-time freighters, sightings of sperm whales and giant white sharks. some sailors were viciously attacked by hornets while preparing to leave a remote beach camp. the crews rebelled & unanimously decided to sail as a group, as opposed to racing the final leg of the journey, for safety.