The waves in the Southern Ocean are the largest to be found anywhere in the world. In theory they can reach more than 30 metres in height, but the largest seen during the voyage was, perhaps, 25 metres high, but it had built up into a wall, breaking at the crest. RKJ was on deck as it suddenly reared up half a mile astern, and by the time its true proportions were clear it was too late to seek shelter below. He climbed the rigging and hung on as the stern reared up and the wave crashed over the boat. For what seemed an eternity there was nothing in sight but two masts and boiling water and then Suhaili shook herself and re-appeared. Without the warps she would have broached and been viciously rolled and possibly foundered.

--From the web site of Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to circumnavigate the globe, alone, without stopping in 1968/69.