New Canadian Documentary Sheds Light on the Sinking of the SV Concordia

TORONTO, ON, January 22, 2011 (Press-News.org) On February 10, CBC presents Abandon Ship: The Sinking of the SV Concordia. It relives the events of nearly one year ago when 48 students of the Class Afloat school program, eight teachers and eight crew members capsized in a tall ship off the coast of Brazil. The documentary premieres Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 9:00 pm ET on CBC's DocZone and repeats Friday, February 11, 2011 at 10:00 pm ET/PT on CBC News Network. Abandon Ship: The Sinking of the SV Concordia is the directorial debut of Dianne Carruthers-Wood, acclaimed writer and producer, and mother of one of the students aboard the SV Concordia.

"This film is a celebration of the heroic actions taken by the 64 survivors, including my 18 year old daughter Natasha, who endured 41 harrowing hours lost at sea," says director Dianne Carruthers-Wood. "Thankfully the crew wasn't out to save themselves, they saved each other. That is the silver lining in this story and the single most important message of the film."

Abandon Ship: The Sinking of the SV Concordia sheds light on the personal experiences of the students, teachers and the captain of the SV Concordia through gripping interviews and never before seen footage. The film also recounts the rescue as well as the slow response of the Brazilian authorities to react to distress calls from the Canadian Coast Guard and school officials. The gratitude and relief that followed the rescue gave voice to this film, which is dedicated to the 64 survivors and their rescuers, the crews of the freighter ships Hokuetsu Delight and Crystal Pioneer.

About the SV Concordia and sinking
The SV Concordia was a 57-metre training vessel and home to students of the West Island College Class Afloat program of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. On February 17, 2010, the ship was struck by a freak weather phenomenon called a microburst, which caused it to capsize. The 48 students, eight teachers and eight crew aboard the ship escaped into four life rafts. Lost in the ocean with diminishing hopes of survival - in life rafts only meant to last 48 hours, the situation worsened as Brazilian authorities took two days to locate the ship. The miraculous rescue that followed is a true story of strength and solidarity, and will take its place in Canadian Maritime history.
For a trailer of Abandon Ship: The Sinking of the SV Concordia and more information on the film, please visit http://www.theconcordia.ca.

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