The ship used in the film is the "Eye of the Wind", originally built in 1911 as a top-sail schooner and refitted in 1975 as a brigantine. She is now rigged as a Brig. It was also used in The Blue Lagoon (1980), Savage Island (1985), and Tai-Pan (1986).
On the same day that production on his film "Hot Zone" was cancelled, Ridley Scott was given a copy of this film's script. Ninety minutes later, he announced that he would direct it.
The Danish school girls in the movie were meant to be French school girls in the original script. This change came about as a casting director who searched for French-speaking and good-looking actresses met Danish actress Camilla Overbye Roos. The casting director wanted to cast her but she could not speak French. Overbye-Roos then suggested changing the French girls to Danish girls. The casting director asked her to find suitable Danish girls (which were found by contacting Danish exchange students and au-pair girls in America). Photos and screen test of the girls that were found were then sent to director Ridley Scott who approved the change.