As documented in the upcoming premiere SOLO, Andrew McAuley set out to become the first person to kayak from Australia to New Zealand across one of the wildest and loneliest stretches of ocean on Earth. On February 9, New Zealand maritime authorities received his distress call. Having survived a harrowing and torturous month at sea, conquering monstrous swells and terrifying storms, McAuley lost his life only a day from completing his journey.

SOLO: Lost at Sea - the story of Andy McAuley

There have only been a handful of events which have had such a profound effect on me that they completely altered my perception and left an unending mark on me. Andy’s story is such one. I was reminded of his story and thought of the terrible sorrow left on those he left just this weekend as we paddled to an off-shore island on Washington’s coast. His story servers to remind us that every and any time we embark on the sea we are, despite our perceived familiarity with her, are venturing in harms way.

SOLO: Lost at Sea will premiere September 15^th on the National Geographic Channel.