My short version is:
After the water was above the lower-level deckplates in B-3, we were directed to abandon the space and came up thru the starboard side hatch, then the 01 Level hatch and in between the breaking surf over the starboard side, then searched for cover. Our station (group) was assigned the forward stack area. I was part of a group hiding behind the forward stack trying to stay warm and sheltered from the surf breaking over the starboard side and I was in the 1st raft to leave the Bache near the port side hatch of the forward Fire Room. Discussions (hollering back and forth) were being held between some senior guys (some officer in my group) and someone on the Bridge with agreement being reached to try one raft to see if some could get to shore. Discussions involved concerns that the rafts might get swept around the point to the West and not make the beach, but carried out to sea. During these discussions, I can't forget my fat BT Chief (name escapes me) suggesting that we go over the side and walk part of the seawall to shore - only problem was - it was being swept with surf as badly as the ship was - bad idea. Of course, in the dark, you couldn't tell how the surf and the beach were in relation to the ship at that time. I was part of a team that efforted getting a raft inflated on the main deck portside and over the side. Volunteers were asked for and I was right nearby, agreed and over I went as the first one into/onto the raft. Myself and 1-2 others tried to get under the roof of the raft for a few seconds and felf very uncomfortable & nervous in the swells on the lee side of the ship as it was rocking, as you'll recall, so we quickly got back on the roof of the raft. We took on 8-10 guys and decided (bridge and others) that was enough. It took us some time to break away from the suction of the ship with the paddles and actually worried that we would not even break away eventually damaging the raft against the ship. But, we of course eventually caught a little lull, broke away, then paddled towards the lights on the beach and rode the wild surf to the beach. Word was passed back to the ship that we were OK and I'm not aware of detailed events on board after that, only that many others came over in rafts and some stayed on board all night. We got the usual drink and dry clothes from the great locals, a hotel room and slept very soundly that night.