He was always up to something and focused solely on that mission, and it usually involved getting back out to sea and chasing adventure.’ The film succeeds in painting a more complete picture of Plant, balancing his achievements with his failings. It points to possible causes of Coyote’s capsize, including time constraints, lack of money, structural shortcomings, Plant’s own alleged recklessness and – highlighted in a candid interview with the photographer Billy Black, who was on the helm at the time – running hard aground in the Chesapeake just before the final, fatal voyage. But it avoids getting bogged down in the aftermath, which resulted in a lawsuit brought by Plant’s fiancée Helen against the boat’s builder, a US Coast Guard investigation and a lot of conjecture. ‘I recognised that highlighting the afterthoughts missed the message of the story I was trying to share,’ Simmons says. ‘It created an investigative and accusatory tone that I wanted to avoid. My goal was to share Mike’s story with authenticity and focus on his spirit alone.’
For all who sail offshore and especially the singlehanders among us, Coyote is a cautionary tale that shines important light on balancing risk-taking and dreams with preparation and reality, Simmons says: ‘Just as the power of the human spirit can propel an individual to defy the odds and conquer, that same
Above: one of the last pictures of Mike Plant aboard his radical Open 60 Coyote, which
capsized after losing its keel bulb in a
north Atlantic storm while on passage from New York to
Les Sables d’Olonne for the start of the second Vendée
Globe Race in 1992.
Simmons’s film points to many factors that probably contributed to the tragedy and reminds us of some important lessons in seamanship, but it’s also an inspiring story of a man who achieved so much by following his dreams
grip of passion and determination can create a tunnel that overlooks sensible decision making.’ The film also has an equally powerful positive message. ’I hope people walk away from Coyote inspired to pursue their true aspirations in life,’ Simmons says. ‘Mike’s story speaks to the power of the human spirit when passion meets determination. Our dreams do not need to include life and death situations, as Mike’s aspirations did, but everyone has a heart that is speaking clearly and we need to listen and follow.’
The film is available on major digital platforms in 80+ countries and can be accessed here:
www.coyotedocumentary.com q
SEAHORSE 67
BILLY BLACK
BILLY BLACK
SPARKPLUG FILMS
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