What are the reasons that each of the six youth have been sent to the Phoenix for a month? What is the program called? What is the aim of the program? What would have been the alternative for most of the young adults in this story?

How do the six young adults respond to their new home for thirty days? What is their initial reaction? Who appears least likely to cope well with the coming four weeks and why? Who is the only one who seems to be enjoying the adventure from the start? What effect does this have and why?

What are some of the things that Radford and Cascadden teach their young crew about sailing? What specific lessons do they learn about sailing in high winds? Who among the young crew believes they know a better way to get through a storm...