Seven-Tenths: Love, Piracy, and Science at Sea

By David Fisichella

An engineer whose life is in shambles meets a blind oceanographer who spends her life at sea. In this memoir of their courtship, David Fisichella writes of science, love, adventure, and danger on the ocean. He survives heavy weather, an equator crossing, and a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia. He learns how scientists study ocean physics and why their research is so important, how people live for months on a crowded boat, and what it means to be working for, and dating, the chief scientist. Told with humor, gritty details, and a refreshing sense of wonder about our oceans.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1935248103
• ISBN13: 9781935248101
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Leapfrog Press
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A big Fisichella story!

David Fisichella is a mechanical engineer who is going through a mid-life crisis on two fronts. First off, his marriage is failing. Secondly, he realizes that he is unfulfilled by his occupation as an employee of a defense contractor. Just by chance (as things so many times happen in life) he happens to begin sailing with blind people and acts as their eyes out on the open water. This gig indirectly leads him to befriending (and ultimately marrying) an accomplished oceanographer who is losing her vision (Amy). The majority of the book is about the adventures David & Amy share in Africa as well as in the Gulf of Aden. For those who may not be familiar with this quadrant of the world, the Gulf of Aden has some of the most dangerous waters in the world. This is not due to rough weather, but to piracy and maritime terrorism. When I was in the Navy, I saw a lot(!) of water. To me, water was water & there wasn't much more to say about it (except that you didn't want to be a man overboard!). The present book I found to be illuminating in that it explored a part of oceanography I really didn't know existed. When most of us (including me) think of oceanography, we think of Jaques Cousteau. That's not what this book is about. Rather, the scientists aboard the research vessel study the ocean ITSELF rather than marine biology. Interesting. If you have any sort of fascination for oceanography (any brand of the discipline) or sea-faring books, then I would highly recommend the present book. It's a quick read, not only in its brevity but also in the pacing of the book. With David & Amy as your guide you will explore a region of the world you've likely never been & a scientific field that you probably have never knew existed.

An engaging and fascinating memoir, sure to entertain and enlighten

Life at sea still has more adventure than anyone could ever bargain for. "Seven-Tenths: Love, Piracy, and Science at Sea" is a memoir from David Fasichella as he serves as a mechanical engineer at sea in the Arabian sea in 1995. He finds love with a blind oceanographer, but is faced with drama through the ship and the ever so annoying pirate attack. "Seven-Tenths" is an engaging and fascinating memoir, sure to entertain and enlighten.

`Seven-tenths of the globe is covered by water.'

In 1995, at the Carroll Center for the Blind, David Fisichella, a mechanical engineer meets Amy Bower, an oceanographer who is progressively losing her vision. David has previously sailed with blind sailors, and over time forms both a personal and a professional relationship with Amy. The professional part of the relationship involves David travelling with Amy on oceanographic research vessels to provide sighted assistance, and this is the main focus of this book. I enjoyed learning about the intricacies of life and work on oceanographic research vessels: the very tight scheduling which requires detailed planning of scientific experiments as well as every other aspect of a trip. It's hard work, even without Somali pirates to complicate it further! I learned, too, of some of the mysteries of deep ocean currents and some of the advantages (and disadvantages) of life at sea. It is easier to read about the traditions of equatorial crossing, and the sea-sickness, than it is to experience it. I found David's recounting of Amy's experiences inspirational. Like many people with significant visual impairment, Amy has learned to adapt in a world where a lack of sightedness can be a severe disadvantage. It's heartening to read how, with appropriate support, challenges can be met head on. While I focussed a lot on Amy's story, I suspect that it was David who learned most about himself during the period of this memoir. A very enjoyable read. Jennifer Cameron-Smith

A tale of discovery, of oceans and self...

"Seven-tenths of the globe is covered by water" (p. 85). In Seven-Tenths: Love, Piracy, and Science at Sea, author and engineer David Fisichella puts together a surprisingly engaging yarn about experiencing the ocean not from the shuffleboard deck of a cruise ship, but from the cables, crates, and schedules of oceanographic research vessels. Fisichella begins volunteering with an organization called the Carroll Center for the Blind, being the "eyes" for blind sailors. He's good at it, and he likes himself for doing it. Fisichella meets Amy Bower, a scientist with macular degeneration, and in need of a good pair of eyes for her next oceanographic expedition. Fisichella is in. Their relationship develops, and eventually they are married. But this book really is about the daily grind on a science vessel, with its mix of crew and scientists, and the need to get a science experiment done right, the first time, since there may never be a second chance. Add to this the adventures of seasickness, Somali pirates, centuries old traditions relating to equatorial crossings, and the mysteries of deep water ocean currents, and Fisichella keeps your attention throughout the book. There's one point before a cruise that Fisichella's dog is skunked. They try the home remedy, tomato juice (actually, all they have is chunky style tomato sauce), before heading off to a professional dog groomer. If they would have spent 2 minutes searching, they'd have found that tomato juice doesn't work (it seems like it does because the human nose becomes fatigued from the skunk scent), and that there is a 100% effective formula for deactivating skunk essence made with products commonly found at home (hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid soap). Even scientists and engineers miss the boat sometimes! Fisichella did make the common mistake in his book of referring to a "principle investigator" instead of "principal investigator." I'm certain Amy would have caught this if she had read it to herself! Still, I found this book, my second from Leapfrog Press, captivating and interesting. I'm going to pass this one on to a budding marine scientist, and see what she thinks. Sounds like an exciting career choice!

Seven-Tenths is educational and entertaining.

Seven-Tenths is a memoir that has elements of science and geography. I enjoyed reading every page of this unique book. The title is a reference to the fraction of the earth that is covered in water. David Fisichella makes oceanography sound like a fascinating subject. I know nothing about the science of the oceans, so the scientific parts of the book are very interesting. Fisichella writes about every aspect of doing ocean research while living on a ship. I enjoyed reading how water is collected and the elements of the ocean that oceanographers study like salinity and how different currents of water interact with each other. There is a lot of equipment involved in this research. Fisichella describes all the technical aspects well. My knowledge of geography has expanded because of this book. I had no idea where the Seychelles or the Gulf of Aden were located on a map before reading this book. I have a good idea of where they are now. I love reading about new places in books I never heard of. This book also reinforces my belief that people with disabilities can achieve anything if they work hard enough. The author's wife is a woman named Amy. She is visually impaired, but her disability does not prevent her from pursuing her work as a scientist with a passion. Seven-Tenths is an educational and entertaining book.