Benoit Stichelbaut / Pierres Noires (black stones) Lighthouse in heavy seas. Brittany, France 2002.

Rick Tomlinson / Simon le Bon's ^Drum^ during the Whitbread Round the Race, 1985.

Onne van der Wal / An October 2006 storm freeing yachts from their moorings to run ashore and be pounded by waves in Jamestown, Rhode Island, USA.

Rick Tomlinson / ^Intrum Justicia^ in the Southern Ocean during the Whitbread Round the World Race, 1993.

Benoit Stichelbaut / Windsurfer wiping out while riding waves at La Torche, Brittany, France 1998.

David Noton / Heavy seas, large waves crashing against rocks, Portland, Dorset, England, UK

Benoit Stichelbaut / ^Rexona^ practice sailing for Route du Rhum, Port la Foret, France, October 2002

Onne van der Wal / Saint Barths Bucket Super Yacht Regatta, Caribbean, March 2009.

Rick Tomlinson / ^Intrum Justicia^ in the Southern Ocean during the Whitbread Round the World Race, 1997.

Pete Oxford / Waves breaking over bow in rough seas Southern Indian Ocean (Russian ice breaker ship)

Philip Stephen / Fishing vessel trawling on a winter night in the North Sea. December 2008. Property released.

Barry Bland / Waves crashing against sea wall near beach huts, Southwold, Suffolk, UK.

Rick Tomlinson / Crew member aboard ^EF Language^ faces away from the spray on the deck in the Southern Ocean during the Whitbread Round the World Race, 1997-1998.

Philippe Clement / Container ship in a rough sea during storm, North Sea, Belgium. March 2008.

Rick Tomlinson / SY ^Adele^, 180 foot Hoek Design, sailing near South Georgia, February 2007 Non editorial uses must be cleared individually.

Rick Tomlinson / Team of Australian surf life savers row out through the heavy surf off a beach in Australia.

Gary K. Smith / Waves breaking on groynes, looking towards Mundesley, North Norfolk, Uk

Benoit Stichelbaut / Sebastian Josse on bow of yacht during Vendee Globe 2004

Onne van der Wal / A strong wind blows across yachts on their moorings in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. The Newport bridge is in the background.

Rick Tomlinson / Crew on ^Intrum Justicia^ trimming the spinnaker in heavy Southern Ocean seas in the Whitbread Round the World Race, 1993.

Rick Tomlinson / Helmsman is fully geared up in waterproofs on ^EF Language^ Skippered by British yachtsman Lawrie in the Whitbread Round the World Race, 1993-94.~~ ^^^The team won the second leg of the race and broke...

Ian McCarthy / Waves crashing on coast, Marion Is, Prince Edward Is sub-antarctica

Luis Quinta / Waves crashing against cliffs and rocky coast, Costa Vicentina, Alentejo, Portugal

Philippe Clement / Wave crashing over jetty during storm at Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, Normandy, France, December 2008

Benoit Stichelbaut / Fishing boat and La Plate beacon near La Vieille lighthouse in the Raz de Sein, Pointe du Raz, Brittany, France, 2002.

Rick Tomlinson / Helmsman on ^Intrum Justitia^ is geared up in waterproofs and goggles as they move through the Southern Ocean in the Whitbread Round the World Race, 1993.

Rick Tomlinson / Coutmacsherry lifeboat in heavy weather, Ireland.

Rick Tomlinson / Maxi yacht ^Drum^ owned by Simon le Bon in the Whitbread Round the World Race, 1985.

Rick Tomlinson / Maxi yacht ^Rothmans^ moves along on a breezy Sydney-Hobart run, 1991.

Rick Tomlinson / Alderney, Channel Islands Lifeboat covered in spray as it crashes through heavy seas.

Philip Stephen / Fishing vessel in heavy seas, North Sea, April 2009. Property released.

Philip Stephen / Fishing vessel in heavy seas, North Sea, April 2009. Property released.

Philip Stephen / Oil drilling rig ^John Shaw^, situated at the Don oilfield 240 miles North East of Aberdeen, in heavy seas. North Sea, 2009.

Benoit Stichelbaut / ^Brit Air^ in the Figaro Transatlantic Race 2006

Benoit Stichelbaut / Vincent Riou aboard 60ft PRB ^Imoca^ amongst sea spray, April 2008

Benoit Stichelbaut / Erwan Tabarly aboard Figaro yacht ^Athema^, March 2008

Benoit Stichelbaut / Vincent Riou aboard 60ft PRB ^Imoca^ amongst sea spray, April 2008

Benoit Stichelbaut / Jean Luc van den Heede arriving from Global Challenge (Western circumnavigation), record boat -122 days 14 hours 3 minutes 49 seconds, Ouessant (Ushant), Brittany, France, March, 2004

Benoit Stichelbaut / Tug ^Abeille Bourbon^ arriving at Brest in Heavy Weather. Brittany, France, April 2005.

Philip Stephen / North sea prawn trawler ^Soverign^ aground on rocks 1 mile from Fraserburgh harbour entrance, with waves crashing over her. Scotland. February 2007.

Rick Tomlinson / J-Class ^Velsheda^ racing at Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, 2001.