The amateur search

In the days that followed Jim's disappearance at sea, his family, friends and colleagues came together in a remarkable effort to help find him. The group gathered, analyzed and filtered information from many sources. In concert with the Coast Guard, the results were used to focus the search in the places where Jim and his sailboat Tenacious were most likely to be.

The scope and breadth -- indeed, the very existence -- of this amateur search effort reflect Jim at his best. The group was at first composed of those whose lives he had touched directly, who used skills and knowledge he had helped them to gain in hopes of finding him. As time passed, others joined in who were inspired by the unfolding story. In the end, thousands came together to search for Jim.