https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shipwreck-stories--7194288
Each episode reconstructs real castaway experiences, lost vessels and the choices that separate rescue from oblivion.

You’ll hear vivid scene-setting, firsthand accounts where available, and clear explanations of navigation, weather and survival techniques that shaped each outcome.

This is not a textbook about ships; it’s a collection of human dramas set against reefs, storms and open ocean, told with respect for the victims and curiosity about the forces at play.

New episodes arrive every day — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday — at 7:00 PM, with compact narrative episodes that run long enough to immerse you but short enough to fit into your evening.

Ideal for listeners who crave precise maritime storytelling, practical survival insight, and the tension of true nautical mysteries without sensationalism.

If you want to understand how wrecks happen, how people survive, and what the sea conceals, Shipwreck Stories gives you a steady compass.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss a nightly dispatch from the water’s edge.]]>enPersonal Journals© 2026 OBOMEDIA Creatorshttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/76c87cf44fd101bdc34f4cc00bf48ef0.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/shipwreck-stories--7194288Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:00:38 +0000Creator at ObomediaCreator at Obomediacreators@obomedia.comWreckage, survival and the hush of the sea: Shipwreck Stories brings the human edge of maritime disaster into sharp, unflinching focus. Each episode reconstructs real castaway experiences, lost vessels and the choices that separate rescue from...
Each episode reconstructs real castaway experiences, lost vessels and the choices that separate rescue from oblivion.

You’ll hear vivid scene-setting, firsthand accounts where available, and clear explanations of navigation, weather and survival techniques that shaped each outcome.

This is not a textbook about ships; it’s a collection of human dramas set against reefs, storms and open ocean, told with respect for the victims and curiosity about the forces at play.

New episodes arrive every day — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday — at 7:00 PM, with compact narrative episodes that run long enough to immerse you but short enough to fit into your evening.

Ideal for listeners who crave precise maritime storytelling, practical survival insight, and the tension of true nautical mysteries without sensationalism.

If you want to understand how wrecks happen, how people survive, and what the sea conceals, Shipwreck Stories gives you a steady compass.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss a nightly dispatch from the water’s edge.]]>falseepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-empty-suit-163-miles-from-death--73079633
A sealed, inflated survival suit hung from the outer piling of the public dock at Heron Flats, Maine, on the morning of September 11, 2019 - empty and 163 miles from the last known location of the vessel it came from. How did a suit that should have stayed with a sinking cutter end up deliberately placed on a pier in a direction that defied the expected drift?

In this episode, we trace the loss of the Ardmore Cross and the choices made in the twenty chaotic minutes after it broached, focusing on Philip Noyes, his nephew Chris Albano, and crewman Earl McCarthy, and the single decision that sent a sealed suit toward a shore someone might walk before dawn.

Person: Philip Noyes
Vessel: Ardmore Cross, 42-foot cutter
Date of sinking: September 9-11, 2019
Location of last automatic position: 41 miles southeast of Seal Island Nova Scotia
Distance from Yarmouth to Heron Flats: 163 miles

- The Ardmore Cross broached at 2:25 a.m. and lost its mast within seconds leaving the boat critically damaged.
- Three survival suits were aboard; two became inaccessible when the starboard locker jammed during the broach.
- Chris Albano dove twice into a flooding forward cabin and retrieved the single usable suit for Philip Noyes.
- Noyes was recovered hypothermic at 11:40 a.m. on September 9 seven miles north-northwest of the EPIRB position.
- The most unsettling detail is that Noyes later took the inventoried suit from Yarmouth and deliberately released it off Heron Flats to signal a shore he believed someone might reach.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079633Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Empty Suit: 163 Miles from Death A sealed, inflated survival suit hung from the outer piling of the public dock at Heron Flats, Maine, on the morning of September 11, 2019 - empty and 163 miles from the last known location of the vessel it came...
A sealed, inflated survival suit hung from the outer piling of the public dock at Heron Flats, Maine, on the morning of September 11, 2019 - empty and 163 miles from the last known location of the vessel it came from. How did a suit that should have stayed with a sinking cutter end up deliberately placed on a pier in a direction that defied the expected drift?

In this episode, we trace the loss of the Ardmore Cross and the choices made in the twenty chaotic minutes after it broached, focusing on Philip Noyes, his nephew Chris Albano, and crewman Earl McCarthy, and the single decision that sent a sealed suit toward a shore someone might walk before dawn.

Person: Philip Noyes
Vessel: Ardmore Cross, 42-foot cutter
Date of sinking: September 9-11, 2019
Location of last automatic position: 41 miles southeast of Seal Island Nova Scotia
Distance from Yarmouth to Heron Flats: 163 miles

- The Ardmore Cross broached at 2:25 a.m. and lost its mast within seconds leaving the boat critically damaged.
- Three survival suits were aboard; two became inaccessible when the starboard locker jammed during the broach.
- Chris Albano dove twice into a flooding forward cabin and retrieved the single usable suit for Philip Noyes.
- Noyes was recovered hypothermic at 11:40 a.m. on September 9 seven miles north-northwest of the EPIRB position.
- The most unsettling detail is that Noyes later took the inventoried suit from Yarmouth and deliberately released it off Heron Flats to signal a shore he believed someone might reach.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1112falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-nailed-shoe-a-child-s-last-message-from-the-deep--73079632
Imagine a child's shoe, not tangled or lost, but deliberately nailed to a federal buoy in the Hatteras Inlet channel. This unsettling discovery, made by a utility worker, launched a three-week investigation into a story with no crime, no villain, and no easy explanation. Who would nail a child's shoe to a navigational buoy?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing tale of the ketch Maren Bell and its crew, caught in a sudden storm off the Virginia coast. The episode details the events leading to the vessel's demise, a critical error in a distress signal, and the desperate actions of a captain in functional shock, ultimately revealing the strange truth behind the nailed shoe.

Person: Kenneth Hoffman
Date: September 4
Location: Hatteras Inlet channel
Vessel: Maren Bell
Status: Sinking

- A utility worker found a child's shoe nailed to federal buoy number forty-one.
- The Maren Bell, a 42-foot ketch, was carrying four people, including a three-year-old child.
- A line of convective cells moving at 40 knots struck the Maren Bell in the dark.
- A wave brought the main mast down, sending two men into the water.
- An EPIRB registration error sent rescue helicopters 40 miles west of the sinking vessel.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079632Mon, 27 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Nailed Shoe: A Child's Last Message From The Deep Imagine a child's shoe, not tangled or lost, but deliberately nailed to a federal buoy in the Hatteras Inlet channel. This unsettling discovery, made by a utility worker, launched a three-week...
Imagine a child's shoe, not tangled or lost, but deliberately nailed to a federal buoy in the Hatteras Inlet channel. This unsettling discovery, made by a utility worker, launched a three-week investigation into a story with no crime, no villain, and no easy explanation. Who would nail a child's shoe to a navigational buoy?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing tale of the ketch Maren Bell and its crew, caught in a sudden storm off the Virginia coast. The episode details the events leading to the vessel's demise, a critical error in a distress signal, and the desperate actions of a captain in functional shock, ultimately revealing the strange truth behind the nailed shoe.

Person: Kenneth Hoffman
Date: September 4
Location: Hatteras Inlet channel
Vessel: Maren Bell
Status: Sinking

- A utility worker found a child's shoe nailed to federal buoy number forty-one.
- The Maren Bell, a 42-foot ketch, was carrying four people, including a three-year-old child.
- A line of convective cells moving at 40 knots struck the Maren Bell in the dark.
- A wave brought the main mast down, sending two men into the water.
- An EPIRB registration error sent rescue helicopters 40 miles west of the sinking vessel.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1104falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-beacon-that-lied-58-hours-lost-at-sea--73079631
Imagine being lost at sea, your distress beacon activated, yet rescuers are searching 63 miles away in the wrong location. This was the terrifying reality for a solo sailor whose life depended on a critical piece of paper that proved to be a lie. How could a document designed for safety lead to such a perilous misdirection?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing ordeal of Denise O'Connor, a seasoned sailor who found herself adrift in the Atlantic with a broken wrist and a non-functional radio. Her emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was transmitting, but its registration was tied to a different boat and a different owner, sending search teams on a futile chase.

Person: Denise O'Connor
Date: July 4-9, 2019
Location: Atlantic Ocean, off Georgia coast
Vessel: Meridian Line (40-foot sailboat)
Status: Rescued

- A search aircraft located Denise O'Connor's 40-foot sailboat 63 miles southeast of Hilton Head Island.
- Denise O'Connor, 53 years old, was alone on the Atlantic with a broken wrist and no radio.
- Her EPIRB was registered to a previous owner's boat, named Caraway, and a man named Patrick Sievert.
- On July 6, 2019, a large swell caused Meridian Line to go over more than 90 degrees, dismasting the boat.
- Denise O'Connor, a commercial maritime insurance underwriter, had completed three solo offshore passages of over 500 miles before this incident.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079631Sun, 26 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Beacon That Lied: 58 Hours Lost at Sea Imagine being lost at sea, your distress beacon activated, yet rescuers are searching 63 miles away in the wrong location. This was the terrifying reality for a solo sailor whose life depended on a...
Imagine being lost at sea, your distress beacon activated, yet rescuers are searching 63 miles away in the wrong location. This was the terrifying reality for a solo sailor whose life depended on a critical piece of paper that proved to be a lie. How could a document designed for safety lead to such a perilous misdirection?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing ordeal of Denise O'Connor, a seasoned sailor who found herself adrift in the Atlantic with a broken wrist and a non-functional radio. Her emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) was transmitting, but its registration was tied to a different boat and a different owner, sending search teams on a futile chase.

Person: Denise O'Connor
Date: July 4-9, 2019
Location: Atlantic Ocean, off Georgia coast
Vessel: Meridian Line (40-foot sailboat)
Status: Rescued

- A search aircraft located Denise O'Connor's 40-foot sailboat 63 miles southeast of Hilton Head Island.
- Denise O'Connor, 53 years old, was alone on the Atlantic with a broken wrist and no radio.
- Her EPIRB was registered to a previous owner's boat, named Caraway, and a man named Patrick Sievert.
- On July 6, 2019, a large swell caused Meridian Line to go over more than 90 degrees, dismasting the boat.
- Denise O'Connor, a commercial maritime insurance underwriter, had completed three solo offshore passages of over 500 miles before this incident.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1198falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-clean-hatch-how-he-survived-the-impossible-sea--73079630
Imagine a boat hatch, perfectly clean, found eleven miles inland on a hiking trail, with no barnacles or saltwater stains. This anomaly, discovered by a dog, led to a 22-year-old man, Craig Miller, alive but unconscious, underneath it. How did he survive six days at sea and end up so far from the Pacific Ocean?

In this episode, we uncover the astonishing survival story of Craig Miller, a deckhand on the commercial fishing vessel Adeline Rose, which sank in the Pacific. We explore the critical decisions, the unexpected modifications, and the unique skills that allowed him to endure the impossible and return home.

Person: Craig Miller
Date: June 2019
Location: Northern California
Vessel: Adeline Rose
Status: Survivor

- A fiberglass hatch cover, four feet by two and a half, was found eleven miles from the Pacific Ocean.
- The hatch cover belonged to the 48-foot commercial fishing vessel Adeline Rose.
- Craig Miller, 22, was found underneath the hatch cover with a core body temperature of 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
- He had not eaten in six days and consumed less than a full can of soda's worth of fresh water.
- The Adeline Rose sank in approximately eleven minutes after a fire started in the engine compartment.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079630Sat, 25 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Clean Hatch: How He Survived the Impossible Sea Imagine a boat hatch, perfectly clean, found eleven miles inland on a hiking trail, with no barnacles or saltwater stains. This anomaly, discovered by a dog, led to a 22-year-old man, Craig...
Imagine a boat hatch, perfectly clean, found eleven miles inland on a hiking trail, with no barnacles or saltwater stains. This anomaly, discovered by a dog, led to a 22-year-old man, Craig Miller, alive but unconscious, underneath it. How did he survive six days at sea and end up so far from the Pacific Ocean?

In this episode, we uncover the astonishing survival story of Craig Miller, a deckhand on the commercial fishing vessel Adeline Rose, which sank in the Pacific. We explore the critical decisions, the unexpected modifications, and the unique skills that allowed him to endure the impossible and return home.

Person: Craig Miller
Date: June 2019
Location: Northern California
Vessel: Adeline Rose
Status: Survivor

- A fiberglass hatch cover, four feet by two and a half, was found eleven miles from the Pacific Ocean.
- The hatch cover belonged to the 48-foot commercial fishing vessel Adeline Rose.
- Craig Miller, 22, was found underneath the hatch cover with a core body temperature of 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
- He had not eaten in six days and consumed less than a full can of soda's worth of fresh water.
- The Adeline Rose sank in approximately eleven minutes after a fire started in the engine compartment.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1112falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-sneaker-and-the-vanished-ship--73079629
A child's red canvas sneaker, still tied and dry inside, was pulled from the ocean depths, an impossible find that hinted at a much larger mystery. How could a shoe remain dry forty feet underwater, and what did it have to do with a missing forty-two-foot sloop and its two-man crew?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Meridian Pass, a delivery voyage that turned into a desperate search for two missing men. Discover how a paper log, a broken emergency beacon, and a child's sneaker became crucial clues in a race against the ocean's unforgiving power.

Person: Kevin Watson
Vessel: Meridian Pass
Date: May 6, 2017
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina to Brunswick, Georgia
Event: Offshore delivery voyage

- A child's red canvas sneaker was found eleven miles off the Georgia coast, forty feet down.
- The sneaker belonged to Pete Sully's five-year-old daughter and had a hand-drawn star on its toe.
- The Meridian Pass, a forty-two-foot sloop, departed Beaufort, South Carolina, on May 6, 2017.
- An emergency beacon on board had a non-compliant battery installed fourteen months prior.
- A storm hit on May 7, with forty-knot winds, causing Pete Sully to sustain two fractured ribs and a scalp laceration.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079629Fri, 24 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Sneaker and the Vanished Ship A child's red canvas sneaker, still tied and dry inside, was pulled from the ocean depths, an impossible find that hinted at a much larger mystery. How could a shoe remain dry forty feet underwater, and what...
A child's red canvas sneaker, still tied and dry inside, was pulled from the ocean depths, an impossible find that hinted at a much larger mystery. How could a shoe remain dry forty feet underwater, and what did it have to do with a missing forty-two-foot sloop and its two-man crew?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Meridian Pass, a delivery voyage that turned into a desperate search for two missing men. Discover how a paper log, a broken emergency beacon, and a child's sneaker became crucial clues in a race against the ocean's unforgiving power.

Person: Kevin Watson
Vessel: Meridian Pass
Date: May 6, 2017
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina to Brunswick, Georgia
Event: Offshore delivery voyage

- A child's red canvas sneaker was found eleven miles off the Georgia coast, forty feet down.
- The sneaker belonged to Pete Sully's five-year-old daughter and had a hand-drawn star on its toe.
- The Meridian Pass, a forty-two-foot sloop, departed Beaufort, South Carolina, on May 6, 2017.
- An emergency beacon on board had a non-compliant battery installed fourteen months prior.
- A storm hit on May 7, with forty-knot winds, causing Pete Sully to sustain two fractured ribs and a scalp laceration.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1133falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-sailing-ghost-two-notebooks-one-man-no-explanation--73079627
Imagine being found adrift in the Atlantic, your sailboat moving in slow arcs, but no one on deck. When the Coast Guard boards, they find you conscious but unable to stand, with a cold bowl of soup and two water-soaked notebooks as the only clues to what happened. What could explain such a mysterious maritime survival?

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing 32 hours between Grant Patterson's last confirmed position and his discovery by the Coast Guard. We explore the physical evidence, logbook entries, and Grant's own account to reconstruct the events of a storm that nearly claimed his life, revealing the surprising habit that ultimately saved him.

Person: Grant Patterson
Date: April 9, 2019
Location: Atlantic Ocean, 240 miles east-southeast of Cape Fear
Vessel: Agnes Marie, a 31-foot Pearson sloop
Status: Rescued

- Grant Patterson was 62 years old and a finish carpenter from Merritt's Cove, South Carolina.
- His boat, the Agnes Marie, was a 28-year-old Pearson sloop he had rebuilt over three winters.
- Grant departed Merritt's Cove Marina on March 30, 2019, for a solo offshore sail.
- On April 7, a low-pressure front brought sustained winds of 35 knots and seas up to 15 feet.
- A massive wave hit the Agnes Marie broadside, snapping the forestay and causing the mast to fall.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079627Thu, 23 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Sailing Ghost: Two Notebooks, One Man, No Explanation Imagine being found adrift in the Atlantic, your sailboat moving in slow arcs, but no one on deck. When the Coast Guard boards, they find you conscious but unable to stand, with a cold bowl...
Imagine being found adrift in the Atlantic, your sailboat moving in slow arcs, but no one on deck. When the Coast Guard boards, they find you conscious but unable to stand, with a cold bowl of soup and two water-soaked notebooks as the only clues to what happened. What could explain such a mysterious maritime survival?

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing 32 hours between Grant Patterson's last confirmed position and his discovery by the Coast Guard. We explore the physical evidence, logbook entries, and Grant's own account to reconstruct the events of a storm that nearly claimed his life, revealing the surprising habit that ultimately saved him.

Person: Grant Patterson
Date: April 9, 2019
Location: Atlantic Ocean, 240 miles east-southeast of Cape Fear
Vessel: Agnes Marie, a 31-foot Pearson sloop
Status: Rescued

- Grant Patterson was 62 years old and a finish carpenter from Merritt's Cove, South Carolina.
- His boat, the Agnes Marie, was a 28-year-old Pearson sloop he had rebuilt over three winters.
- Grant departed Merritt's Cove Marina on March 30, 2019, for a solo offshore sail.
- On April 7, a low-pressure front brought sustained winds of 35 knots and seas up to 15 feet.
- A massive wave hit the Agnes Marie broadside, snapping the forestay and causing the mast to fall.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1132falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-notebook-they-wrote-their-own-rescue--73079626
Imagine being lost at sea, your boat taking on water, and your only hope is a message scrawled in a notebook. On March 8, 2011, Randy Bell found an orange spiral notebook on Osprey Key, its pages dissolved except for a final, desperate entry. What incredible circumstances led this ordinary object to become a beacon of hope for a suspended search?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of Gary Perry and Tom Vickers, two friends who faced a sudden squall in the Gulf of Mexico. We learn how a meticulous habit of writing in a notebook became their last chance for rescue after their boats were separated and their radio signals swallowed by a radio shadow.

Person: Gary Perry, Tom Vickers, Derek Pratt, Randy Bell, Michael Rice, Steve Pollard
Date: March 8, 2011 (notebook found), February 24, 2011 (trip launched)
Location: Osprey Key, Palmetto Harbor, Gulf Coast
Status: Rescue initiated by notebook entry
Event: Discovery of a notebook with a distress message

- Randy Bell found an orange spiral notebook on March 8, 2011, at 7:15 AM.
- The last entry in the notebook, dated March 4, included coordinates and a water temperature of sixty-three degrees Fahrenheit.
- Gary Perry, 24, and Tom Vickers, 26, launched from Palmetto Harbor on February 24, 2011, for a trip eighteen miles south.
- A squall arrived at 1:17 PM, from the southwest, at approximately thirty knots, disabling both motors within four minutes.
- Derek Pratt, in the second boat, was found alive on day three, exactly where drift models predicted, but Gary and Tom were not.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079626Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Notebook: They Wrote Their Own Rescue Imagine being lost at sea, your boat taking on water, and your only hope is a message scrawled in a notebook. On March 8, 2011, Randy Bell found an orange spiral notebook on Osprey Key, its pages dissolved...
Imagine being lost at sea, your boat taking on water, and your only hope is a message scrawled in a notebook. On March 8, 2011, Randy Bell found an orange spiral notebook on Osprey Key, its pages dissolved except for a final, desperate entry. What incredible circumstances led this ordinary object to become a beacon of hope for a suspended search?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of Gary Perry and Tom Vickers, two friends who faced a sudden squall in the Gulf of Mexico. We learn how a meticulous habit of writing in a notebook became their last chance for rescue after their boats were separated and their radio signals swallowed by a radio shadow.

Person: Gary Perry, Tom Vickers, Derek Pratt, Randy Bell, Michael Rice, Steve Pollard
Date: March 8, 2011 (notebook found), February 24, 2011 (trip launched)
Location: Osprey Key, Palmetto Harbor, Gulf Coast
Status: Rescue initiated by notebook entry
Event: Discovery of a notebook with a distress message

- Randy Bell found an orange spiral notebook on March 8, 2011, at 7:15 AM.
- The last entry in the notebook, dated March 4, included coordinates and a water temperature of sixty-three degrees Fahrenheit.
- Gary Perry, 24, and Tom Vickers, 26, launched from Palmetto Harbor on February 24, 2011, for a trip eighteen miles south.
- A squall arrived at 1:17 PM, from the southwest, at approximately thirty knots, disabling both motors within four minutes.
- Derek Pratt, in the second boat, was found alive on day three, exactly where drift models predicted, but Gary and Tom were not.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1189falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-unfired-flares-and-the-mirror-s-secret--73079624
Imagine being adrift for days, your emergency flares untouched, yet a simple mirror becomes your only hope. How could a seasoned sailor, meticulous about safety, find himself in a situation where a three-by-five piece of glass was his last resort against the vast ocean?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing experience of Jerry Roberts, a man whose expertise in the Florida Keys waters was undeniable, yet faced a catastrophic system failure. His story reveals a series of critical decisions, a near-miss helicopter sighting, and the incredible resilience of one man when all conventional search efforts were looking in the wrong place.

Person: Jerry Roberts
Date: February 8, 2011
Location: Florida Keys
Vessel: Calliope
Equipment: Signal mirror, EPIRB, flares

- Sarah Peterson found Jerry Roberts' yellow inflatable raft at Cayo Redondo Point on February 19, 2011.
- Jerry Roberts, 48, from Cudjoe Key, had been home for four days when his raft was discovered.
- His boat, Calliope, a 32-foot fiberglass sloop, lost its mast and VHF antenna when the forestay fitting failed.
- Jerry Roberts' EPIRB transmitted for approximately four minutes, sending a single position before drifting away.
- He had three flares, one signal mirror, a handheld VHF radio, two liters of water, four energy bars, a space blanket, and a compass on his raft.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079624Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:00:02 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Unfired Flares and the Mirror's Secret Imagine being adrift for days, your emergency flares untouched, yet a simple mirror becomes your only hope. How could a seasoned sailor, meticulous about safety, find himself in a situation where a...
Imagine being adrift for days, your emergency flares untouched, yet a simple mirror becomes your only hope. How could a seasoned sailor, meticulous about safety, find himself in a situation where a three-by-five piece of glass was his last resort against the vast ocean?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing experience of Jerry Roberts, a man whose expertise in the Florida Keys waters was undeniable, yet faced a catastrophic system failure. His story reveals a series of critical decisions, a near-miss helicopter sighting, and the incredible resilience of one man when all conventional search efforts were looking in the wrong place.

Person: Jerry Roberts
Date: February 8, 2011
Location: Florida Keys
Vessel: Calliope
Equipment: Signal mirror, EPIRB, flares

- Sarah Peterson found Jerry Roberts' yellow inflatable raft at Cayo Redondo Point on February 19, 2011.
- Jerry Roberts, 48, from Cudjoe Key, had been home for four days when his raft was discovered.
- His boat, Calliope, a 32-foot fiberglass sloop, lost its mast and VHF antenna when the forestay fitting failed.
- Jerry Roberts' EPIRB transmitted for approximately four minutes, sending a single position before drifting away.
- He had three flares, one signal mirror, a handheld VHF radio, two liters of water, four energy bars, a space blanket, and a compass on his raft.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1184falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-warm-boot-nine-days-lost-one-man-found--73079623
Imagine finding a warm rubber boot on a cold January morning, only to discover a dry spiral notebook inside. This seemingly innocuous find would become the crucial link to a man lost at sea for eight days, with no GPS, no radio, and a silent emergency beacon. How did a simple boot hold the key to a nine-hundred-mile mystery?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing journey of Brian Rafferty, a licensed deckhand who faced a rogue wave, bureaucratic oversight, and the vast Atlantic alone. We explore the events that led to his sailboat being crippled and how an improvised navigation trick ultimately converged with a paperboy's discovery.

Person: Brian Rafferty
Date: January 5th - January 14th
Location: Atlantic Ocean, Portsmith, Georgia
Status: Lost at sea, then found
Event: Rogue wave disables sailboat

- On January 14th, a 15-year-old paperboy found a size eleven rubber boot.
- The boot was warm despite 41-degree winter air.
- Inside the boot was a dry spiral notebook with a plastic cover.
- Brian Rafferty was alone on a crippled sailboat for eight days.
- A Coast Guard emergency beacon registered to another man was suppressed as a false alarm.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079623Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:55 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Warm Boot: Nine Days Lost, One Man Found Imagine finding a warm rubber boot on a cold January morning, only to discover a dry spiral notebook inside. This seemingly innocuous find would become the crucial link to a man lost at sea for eight...
Imagine finding a warm rubber boot on a cold January morning, only to discover a dry spiral notebook inside. This seemingly innocuous find would become the crucial link to a man lost at sea for eight days, with no GPS, no radio, and a silent emergency beacon. How did a simple boot hold the key to a nine-hundred-mile mystery?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing journey of Brian Rafferty, a licensed deckhand who faced a rogue wave, bureaucratic oversight, and the vast Atlantic alone. We explore the events that led to his sailboat being crippled and how an improvised navigation trick ultimately converged with a paperboy's discovery.

Person: Brian Rafferty
Date: January 5th - January 14th
Location: Atlantic Ocean, Portsmith, Georgia
Status: Lost at sea, then found
Event: Rogue wave disables sailboat

- On January 14th, a 15-year-old paperboy found a size eleven rubber boot.
- The boot was warm despite 41-degree winter air.
- Inside the boot was a dry spiral notebook with a plastic cover.
- Brian Rafferty was alone on a crippled sailboat for eight days.
- A Coast Guard emergency beacon registered to another man was suppressed as a false alarm.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1343falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-chart-that-saved-him-1400-miles-away--73079622
Imagine a nautical chart for the Gulf of Mexico, found dry and clean in a North Dakota snowdrift, 1400 miles from the nearest saltwater. This chart was clutched by a marine electrician, Jeffrey Becker, when he was pulled from a life raft after eight days adrift. How did this crucial chart end up so far inland, and what role did it play in his survival?

In this episode, we uncover the parallel threads of Jeffrey Becker's harrowing eight-day ordeal in the Gulf of Mexico and the improbable journey of the chart that became his only fixed point. We explore the meticulous preparation of a man who understood systems and the unexpected turn of events that tested his will to survive.

Person: Jeffrey Becker
Age: 52
Location: Gulf of Mexico, Harwick, North Dakota
Event: Survival at sea, chart discovery
Boat: Evie B, a 31-foot cutter

- On December 19th, a nautical chart sleeve for the Gulf of Mexico was found in a snowdrift in Harwick, North Dakota.
- Jeffrey Becker, a marine electrician, was rescued on December 11th after eight days in a life raft, holding the chart.
- His boat, Evie B, was a 31-foot cutter he spent seven years rebuilding.
- Jeffrey performed dead reckoning from memory, updating his estimated drift aloud every few hours.
- The squall that capsized his boat hit on December 3rd with 55-knot winds and 18-foot seas.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079622Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:52 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Chart That Saved Him, 1400 Miles Away Imagine a nautical chart for the Gulf of Mexico, found dry and clean in a North Dakota snowdrift, 1400 miles from the nearest saltwater. This chart was clutched by a marine electrician, Jeffrey Becker, when...
Imagine a nautical chart for the Gulf of Mexico, found dry and clean in a North Dakota snowdrift, 1400 miles from the nearest saltwater. This chart was clutched by a marine electrician, Jeffrey Becker, when he was pulled from a life raft after eight days adrift. How did this crucial chart end up so far inland, and what role did it play in his survival?

In this episode, we uncover the parallel threads of Jeffrey Becker's harrowing eight-day ordeal in the Gulf of Mexico and the improbable journey of the chart that became his only fixed point. We explore the meticulous preparation of a man who understood systems and the unexpected turn of events that tested his will to survive.

Person: Jeffrey Becker
Age: 52
Location: Gulf of Mexico, Harwick, North Dakota
Event: Survival at sea, chart discovery
Boat: Evie B, a 31-foot cutter

- On December 19th, a nautical chart sleeve for the Gulf of Mexico was found in a snowdrift in Harwick, North Dakota.
- Jeffrey Becker, a marine electrician, was rescued on December 11th after eight days in a life raft, holding the chart.
- His boat, Evie B, was a 31-foot cutter he spent seven years rebuilding.
- Jeffrey performed dead reckoning from memory, updating his estimated drift aloud every few hours.
- The squall that capsized his boat hit on December 3rd with 55-knot winds and 18-foot seas.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1133falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-notebook-six-survivors-eighteen-dead-one-unexplained-entry--73079621
Imagine finding a perfectly dry notebook on a tidal flat, belonging to a ship that sank eleven days prior, killing eighteen people. This isn't a riddle; it's the chilling discovery that launched an eighteen-month inquiry into the MV Fortuna Star disaster. What secrets did this waterlogged vessel's dry logbook hold, and why did it feel "placed"?

In this episode, we delve into the sinking of the bulk carrier Fortuna Star and the mysterious notebook found by a utility lineman. We explore the lives of the six survivors, the meticulous records kept by the second officer, and the baffling entry that investigators spent years trying to understand.

Event: MV Fortuna Star sinking
Date: November 3rd
Location: Forty-two miles offshore
Status: Eighteen dead, six survivors
Discovery: Dry notebook found November 14th

- The MV Fortuna Star was struck by the MV Crestline at approximately 11:47 PM on November 3rd.
- The ship sank in under eighteen minutes, with sixteen people dying at collision or in the water.
- Lifeboat Two launched with seven people, including Susan Hill, a 44-year-old senior cargo compliance officer.
- The lifeboat's radio was transmit-only and unreliable, and the Crestline transmitted incorrect GPS coordinates, off by nineteen miles.
- The lifeboat carried supplies rated for twenty-four person-days, immediately halved to last roughly seven days for seven survivors.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079621Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:49 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Notebook: Six Survivors, Eighteen Dead, One Unexplained Entry Imagine finding a perfectly dry notebook on a tidal flat, belonging to a ship that sank eleven days prior, killing eighteen people. This isn't a riddle; it's the chilling...
Imagine finding a perfectly dry notebook on a tidal flat, belonging to a ship that sank eleven days prior, killing eighteen people. This isn't a riddle; it's the chilling discovery that launched an eighteen-month inquiry into the MV Fortuna Star disaster. What secrets did this waterlogged vessel's dry logbook hold, and why did it feel "placed"?

In this episode, we delve into the sinking of the bulk carrier Fortuna Star and the mysterious notebook found by a utility lineman. We explore the lives of the six survivors, the meticulous records kept by the second officer, and the baffling entry that investigators spent years trying to understand.

Event: MV Fortuna Star sinking
Date: November 3rd
Location: Forty-two miles offshore
Status: Eighteen dead, six survivors
Discovery: Dry notebook found November 14th

- The MV Fortuna Star was struck by the MV Crestline at approximately 11:47 PM on November 3rd.
- The ship sank in under eighteen minutes, with sixteen people dying at collision or in the water.
- Lifeboat Two launched with seven people, including Susan Hill, a 44-year-old senior cargo compliance officer.
- The lifeboat's radio was transmit-only and unreliable, and the Crestline transmitted incorrect GPS coordinates, off by nineteen miles.
- The lifeboat carried supplies rated for twenty-four person-days, immediately halved to last roughly seven days for seven survivors.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1151falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-library-card-that-sailed-2-000-miles-alone--73079620
Imagine finding a dry, undamaged library card on a New England breakwater, 161 days after its owner nearly died at sea, 2,000 miles away. This impossible discovery hints at one of the most astonishing survival stories in recent offshore sailing, but how did it get there?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible journey of Janet Hamilton, a marine biologist who, along with her crew, faced a life-threatening mechanical failure just hours into an Atlantic crossing. The narrative details the meticulous preparations, the critical decisions made under duress, and the sheer will to survive against overwhelming odds.

Person: Janet Hamilton
Date: September 28, 2018
Vessel: Marguerite Gray
Location: North Atlantic
Status: Survival ordeal

- Cynthia Sullivan found a library card on the riprap of Haverford Inlet on March 14, 2019.
- The card belonged to a woman who had been at sea 161 days earlier and 2,000 miles away.
- Janet Hamilton, 28, bought the 1984 sloop, Marguerite Gray, a 38-foot fiberglass cutter rig.
- The watermaker broke less than 24 hours into the journey, leaving 46 gallons of fresh water for three people.
- On day seven, Janet's laminated library card slipped from its waterproof case and dropped into the boat's interior.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079620Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:46 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Library Card That Sailed 2,000 Miles Alone Imagine finding a dry, undamaged library card on a New England breakwater, 161 days after its owner nearly died at sea, 2,000 miles away. This impossible discovery hints at one of the most astonishing...
Imagine finding a dry, undamaged library card on a New England breakwater, 161 days after its owner nearly died at sea, 2,000 miles away. This impossible discovery hints at one of the most astonishing survival stories in recent offshore sailing, but how did it get there?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible journey of Janet Hamilton, a marine biologist who, along with her crew, faced a life-threatening mechanical failure just hours into an Atlantic crossing. The narrative details the meticulous preparations, the critical decisions made under duress, and the sheer will to survive against overwhelming odds.

Person: Janet Hamilton
Date: September 28, 2018
Vessel: Marguerite Gray
Location: North Atlantic
Status: Survival ordeal

- Cynthia Sullivan found a library card on the riprap of Haverford Inlet on March 14, 2019.
- The card belonged to a woman who had been at sea 161 days earlier and 2,000 miles away.
- Janet Hamilton, 28, bought the 1984 sloop, Marguerite Gray, a 38-foot fiberglass cutter rig.
- The watermaker broke less than 24 hours into the journey, leaving 46 gallons of fresh water for three people.
- On day seven, Janet's laminated library card slipped from its waterproof case and dropped into the boat's interior.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1012falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-radio-that-survived-the-fire-and-the-lie--73079619
Imagine finding an object that defied its own destruction: a marine VHF radio, its rubber casing melted flat on one side, yet still intact. How did this radio survive a catastrophic boat fire and end up in a Florida storage unit?

In this episode, we trace the incredible journey of a marine VHF radio, from a burning catamaran in the Florida Straits to a storage unit in Holloway Beach. We delve into the meticulous life of Bruce Wells, the boat's owner, and the fateful decisions that led to the fire and his survival.

Person: Bruce Wells
Vessel: Tidal Agreement
Location: Florida Straits, Holloway Beach, Siesta Key
Event: Catamaran fire
Date: August 25, 12:14 AM

- A meter reader found the melted marine VHF radio in Unit Seven-C, Bayside Self-Storage.
- The Tidal Agreement was a 41-foot catamaran, owned by Bruce Wells for six years.
- The fire was caused by a hairline fracture in the copper propane tubing in the starboard hull.
- Bruce Wells grabbed his VHF radio from a shelf above his berth, a decision made months earlier.
- Bruce and Owen held onto 90 feet of galvanized steel anchor chain that had paid out due to the fire's heat.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079619Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:43 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Radio That Survived the Fire and the Lie Imagine finding an object that defied its own destruction: a marine VHF radio, its rubber casing melted flat on one side, yet still intact. How did this radio survive a catastrophic boat fire and end up...
Imagine finding an object that defied its own destruction: a marine VHF radio, its rubber casing melted flat on one side, yet still intact. How did this radio survive a catastrophic boat fire and end up in a Florida storage unit?

In this episode, we trace the incredible journey of a marine VHF radio, from a burning catamaran in the Florida Straits to a storage unit in Holloway Beach. We delve into the meticulous life of Bruce Wells, the boat's owner, and the fateful decisions that led to the fire and his survival.

Person: Bruce Wells
Vessel: Tidal Agreement
Location: Florida Straits, Holloway Beach, Siesta Key
Event: Catamaran fire
Date: August 25, 12:14 AM

- A meter reader found the melted marine VHF radio in Unit Seven-C, Bayside Self-Storage.
- The Tidal Agreement was a 41-foot catamaran, owned by Bruce Wells for six years.
- The fire was caused by a hairline fracture in the copper propane tubing in the starboard hull.
- Bruce Wells grabbed his VHF radio from a shelf above his berth, a decision made months earlier.
- Bruce and Owen held onto 90 feet of galvanized steel anchor chain that had paid out due to the fire's heat.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1243falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lost-at-sea-the-card-that-saved-a-life--73079618
Imagine being adrift in the vast ocean, your vessel damaged, and the emergency beacon untouched. What if the only record of your exact position, crucial for rescue, was miles away, tucked inside a jacket pocket that had washed ashore?

In this episode, we recount the harrowing ordeal of a 23-year-old woman, Jean Sharp, who found herself alone in a life raft after a sudden squall. We explore the critical errors in a float plan and the incredible journey of a laminated card that became the sole hope for her survival.

Person: Jean Sharp
Date: August 8-11
Location: Off the Georgia coast
Vessel: Mira Leigh
Status: Rescue

- The commercial shrimping vessel Pelican Quay found the Mira Leigh 62 nautical miles east-southeast of the Georgia coast.
- The Mira Leigh's emergency position-indicating radio beacon was found undisturbed and never activated.
- Jean Sharp, 23, was found alive in a life raft 37 hours after the incident and 11 miles from the search area.
- A laminated card with critical navigation data traveled four miles of coastal waterway before being found in Darien, Georgia.
- Howard Teague, 51, was swept overboard at 2:31 AM on August 9 during a squall with 40-knot winds and eight-foot seas.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079618Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:41 +0000Creator at ObomediaLost at Sea: The Card That Saved a Life Imagine being adrift in the vast ocean, your vessel damaged, and the emergency beacon untouched. What if the only record of your exact position, crucial for rescue, was miles away, tucked inside a jacket...
Imagine being adrift in the vast ocean, your vessel damaged, and the emergency beacon untouched. What if the only record of your exact position, crucial for rescue, was miles away, tucked inside a jacket pocket that had washed ashore?

In this episode, we recount the harrowing ordeal of a 23-year-old woman, Jean Sharp, who found herself alone in a life raft after a sudden squall. We explore the critical errors in a float plan and the incredible journey of a laminated card that became the sole hope for her survival.

Person: Jean Sharp
Date: August 8-11
Location: Off the Georgia coast
Vessel: Mira Leigh
Status: Rescue

- The commercial shrimping vessel Pelican Quay found the Mira Leigh 62 nautical miles east-southeast of the Georgia coast.
- The Mira Leigh's emergency position-indicating radio beacon was found undisturbed and never activated.
- Jean Sharp, 23, was found alive in a life raft 37 hours after the incident and 11 miles from the search area.
- A laminated card with critical navigation data traveled four miles of coastal waterway before being found in Darien, Georgia.
- Howard Teague, 51, was swept overboard at 2:31 AM on August 9 during a squall with 40-knot winds and eight-foot seas.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1254falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-chart-found-miles-inland-she-sailed-for-a-star--73079616
A hand-drawn navigation chart, labeled "Scorpius" and found four miles inland in black peat with its rubber band intact, defies easy explanation. How did a laminated chart, marked for a star bearing, end up so far from salt water, and what does it reveal about the woman who made it?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible journey of Valerie Reynolds and her thirty-two-foot sloop, Meridian Cross. Discover the surprising details behind a chart that responders initially dismissed as debris, only to find it held a story far stranger than they imagined.

Person: Valerie Reynolds
Date: July 19, 2011
Location: Pelican Marsh Reserve, Georgia
Object: Hand-drawn navigation chart
Vessel: Meridian Cross

- The chart was found four miles from the nearest salt water, pressed into black peat.
- It had a single bearing line drawn in black permanent marker, labeled Scorpius.
- Valerie Reynolds, 38, had been living aboard Meridian Cross, a 32-foot sloop.
- Her solo passage from Mosswick to the Outer Banks was approximately 310 nautical miles.
- She departed Mosswick Marina on July 8, 2011, at 6:00 AM.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079616Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:38 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Chart Found Miles Inland: She Sailed for a Star A hand-drawn navigation chart, labeled "Scorpius" and found four miles inland in black peat with its rubber band intact, defies easy explanation. How did a laminated chart, marked for a star...
A hand-drawn navigation chart, labeled "Scorpius" and found four miles inland in black peat with its rubber band intact, defies easy explanation. How did a laminated chart, marked for a star bearing, end up so far from salt water, and what does it reveal about the woman who made it?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible journey of Valerie Reynolds and her thirty-two-foot sloop, Meridian Cross. Discover the surprising details behind a chart that responders initially dismissed as debris, only to find it held a story far stranger than they imagined.

Person: Valerie Reynolds
Date: July 19, 2011
Location: Pelican Marsh Reserve, Georgia
Object: Hand-drawn navigation chart
Vessel: Meridian Cross

- The chart was found four miles from the nearest salt water, pressed into black peat.
- It had a single bearing line drawn in black permanent marker, labeled Scorpius.
- Valerie Reynolds, 38, had been living aboard Meridian Cross, a 32-foot sloop.
- Her solo passage from Mosswick to the Outer Banks was approximately 310 nautical miles.
- She departed Mosswick Marina on July 8, 2011, at 6:00 AM.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1147falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-impossible-drift-found-12-feet-from-nowhere--73079614
Imagine surviving twelve days alone in the Atlantic, only to be found conscious and hypothermic, just twelve feet from a mangrove shoreline that no search algorithm had ever targeted. How did one woman, adrift in a life raft, navigate the impossible and survive against all odds?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible true story of Kelly Andrews, a methodical sailor and former biology teacher, whose routine voyage turned into a desperate fight for survival after a sudden, unforecasted squall crippled her sailboat. Discover the crucial role a single notebook played in her rescue and what kept her alive when all seemed lost.

Person: Kelly Andrews
Age: 61
Vessel: Meridian Cross (42-foot sloop)
Departure Date: June 1, 2014
Duration Adrift: 12 days

- Kelly Andrews, a 61-year-old former middle school biology teacher, sailed the Georgia coast and Florida Keys for seven years before the incident.
- Her sailboat, the Meridian Cross, departed Tarpon Shoal Marina in Georgia on June 1, 2014, heading south.
- Eight days later, search crews were looking for her sixty miles in the wrong direction.
- A sudden "raça" with 60 knots of wind hit her boat, causing the mast to fall and the VHF radio and EPIRB to be lost.
- She deployed her life raft on June 3, taking a compass, four liters of water, crackers, a flare kit, a space blanket, and a manual bilge pump.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079614Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:35 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Impossible Drift: Found 12 Feet From Nowhere Imagine surviving twelve days alone in the Atlantic, only to be found conscious and hypothermic, just twelve feet from a mangrove shoreline that no search algorithm had ever targeted. How did one...
Imagine surviving twelve days alone in the Atlantic, only to be found conscious and hypothermic, just twelve feet from a mangrove shoreline that no search algorithm had ever targeted. How did one woman, adrift in a life raft, navigate the impossible and survive against all odds?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible true story of Kelly Andrews, a methodical sailor and former biology teacher, whose routine voyage turned into a desperate fight for survival after a sudden, unforecasted squall crippled her sailboat. Discover the crucial role a single notebook played in her rescue and what kept her alive when all seemed lost.

Person: Kelly Andrews
Age: 61
Vessel: Meridian Cross (42-foot sloop)
Departure Date: June 1, 2014
Duration Adrift: 12 days

- Kelly Andrews, a 61-year-old former middle school biology teacher, sailed the Georgia coast and Florida Keys for seven years before the incident.
- Her sailboat, the Meridian Cross, departed Tarpon Shoal Marina in Georgia on June 1, 2014, heading south.
- Eight days later, search crews were looking for her sixty miles in the wrong direction.
- A sudden "raça" with 60 knots of wind hit her boat, causing the mast to fall and the VHF radio and EPIRB to be lost.
- She deployed her life raft on June 3, taking a compass, four liters of water, crackers, a flare kit, a space blanket, and a manual bilge pump.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1204falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ninety-seconds-of-air-trapped-beneath-the-capsized-ferry--73079613
Imagine being trapped in an air pocket beneath a capsized ferry, with only ninety seconds of breathable air and a life-or-death decision to make. Eleven days after the Calloway Queen capsized, killing seventeen people, a perfectly clean library card belonging to an eight-year-old girl was found in the tidal mud. How did a laminated card survive eleven tidal cycles cleaner than it left, and what led to the ferry's tragic end?

In this episode, we delve into the cascading decisions and silent failures that culminated in the capsizing of the Calloway Queen on Ossabaw Sound. We explore the critical ninety seconds a passenger spent in an air pocket, the misdirection of a search, and the baffling discovery of a pristine library card that defied explanation for months.

Date: May 8, 2011
Location: Ossabaw Sound, Georgia
Vessel: Calloway Queen
Casualties: 17 dead, 9 of them children
Survivors: 48

- The Calloway Queen departed Merritt Landing at 4:18 PM, three minutes late, despite a small-craft advisory issued 28 minutes prior.
- The vessel's auto-righting ballast system, designed to stabilize and recover the catamaran, had been non-functional for seven weeks.
- A microburst with winds estimated at 68 miles per hour struck the Calloway Queen at 4:41 PM.
- Brenda Carter, a passenger, had roughly ninety seconds of breathable air in an air pocket beneath the overturned hull.
- An eight-year-old girl's library card was found 11 days after the capsizing, perfectly clean, 30 feet from the ferry dock.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079613Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:32 +0000Creator at ObomediaNinety Seconds of Air: Trapped Beneath the Capsized Ferry Imagine being trapped in an air pocket beneath a capsized ferry, with only ninety seconds of breathable air and a life-or-death decision to make. Eleven days after the Calloway Queen...
Imagine being trapped in an air pocket beneath a capsized ferry, with only ninety seconds of breathable air and a life-or-death decision to make. Eleven days after the Calloway Queen capsized, killing seventeen people, a perfectly clean library card belonging to an eight-year-old girl was found in the tidal mud. How did a laminated card survive eleven tidal cycles cleaner than it left, and what led to the ferry's tragic end?

In this episode, we delve into the cascading decisions and silent failures that culminated in the capsizing of the Calloway Queen on Ossabaw Sound. We explore the critical ninety seconds a passenger spent in an air pocket, the misdirection of a search, and the baffling discovery of a pristine library card that defied explanation for months.

Date: May 8, 2011
Location: Ossabaw Sound, Georgia
Vessel: Calloway Queen
Casualties: 17 dead, 9 of them children
Survivors: 48

- The Calloway Queen departed Merritt Landing at 4:18 PM, three minutes late, despite a small-craft advisory issued 28 minutes prior.
- The vessel's auto-righting ballast system, designed to stabilize and recover the catamaran, had been non-functional for seven weeks.
- A microburst with winds estimated at 68 miles per hour struck the Calloway Queen at 4:41 PM.
- Brenda Carter, a passenger, had roughly ninety seconds of breathable air in an air pocket beneath the overturned hull.
- An eight-year-old girl's library card was found 11 days after the capsizing, perfectly clean, 30 feet from the ferry dock.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1145falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-logbook-that-shouldn-t-exist-meridian-cross-mystery--73079611
A sealed logbook, found floating in a septic tank on Harkers Island, North Carolina, shouldn't have been there. Its ship was 430 miles away, adrift and presumed sinking. How did it travel that distance, and where was the man who wrote its entries?

In this episode, we delve into the baffling case of Kevin Zeller, the Meridian Cross, and thirteen days on the North Atlantic. We explore the meticulous life of a marine surveyor, his routine, and the fateful decision that led to his vessel becoming crippled at sea.

Person: Kevin Zeller
Date: April 14, 2017
Location: Harkers Island, North Carolina
Vessel: Meridian Cross
Event: Discovery of logbook

- A septic service worker found a sealed plastic bag with a spiral-bound notebook inside.
- The logbook was discovered 430 miles from its presumed sinking vessel, the Meridian Cross.
- Kevin Zeller, a 48-year-old marine surveyor, lived in Morehead City, North Carolina.
- He had sailed the 670 nautical mile passage to Bermuda twice before, in 2011 and 2014.
- On March 26, 2017, the lower starboard shroud of the Meridian Cross parted 200 miles southwest of Bermuda.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079611Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:29 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Logbook That Shouldn't Exist: Meridian Cross Mystery A sealed logbook, found floating in a septic tank on Harkers Island, North Carolina, shouldn't have been there. Its ship was 430 miles away, adrift and presumed sinking. How did it travel...
A sealed logbook, found floating in a septic tank on Harkers Island, North Carolina, shouldn't have been there. Its ship was 430 miles away, adrift and presumed sinking. How did it travel that distance, and where was the man who wrote its entries?

In this episode, we delve into the baffling case of Kevin Zeller, the Meridian Cross, and thirteen days on the North Atlantic. We explore the meticulous life of a marine surveyor, his routine, and the fateful decision that led to his vessel becoming crippled at sea.

Person: Kevin Zeller
Date: April 14, 2017
Location: Harkers Island, North Carolina
Vessel: Meridian Cross
Event: Discovery of logbook

- A septic service worker found a sealed plastic bag with a spiral-bound notebook inside.
- The logbook was discovered 430 miles from its presumed sinking vessel, the Meridian Cross.
- Kevin Zeller, a 48-year-old marine surveyor, lived in Morehead City, North Carolina.
- He had sailed the 670 nautical mile passage to Bermuda twice before, in 2011 and 2014.
- On March 26, 2017, the lower starboard shroud of the Meridian Cross parted 200 miles southwest of Bermuda.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1230falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-life-ring-in-the-tree-a-4-day-ocean-miracle--73079610
Imagine a life ring, not tossed by waves, but found nine feet up a dead cedar tree, above any tide mark. This impossible discovery was the only clue to two missing people, adrift for four days in the vast Atlantic. How did the ocean carry a foam ring sixty miles and place it so deliberately, and what did it mean for the missing crew of the Caroline B.?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing four-day search for a commercial fishing vessel that vanished after a two-word distress call. We explore the critical details missed by search coordinators and the surprising items that held the key to survival, all while the ocean performed an inexplicable act of delivery.

Person: Walt Beckett, Felix Odum, Peggy Adams
Vessel: Caroline B.
Date: March 13th
Location: Offshore Brunswick, Georgia
Status: Missing for four days

- A life ring was found nine feet up a dead cedar tree at Harker's Reach.
- The Caroline B. transmitted "Taking water" at 11:22 AM on March 13th.
- Walt Beckett, the captain, was 55 and had fished off Brunswick, Georgia, for 23 years.
- Felix Odum, 26, was the deckhand and a strong swimmer.
- The Caroline B. was a 42-foot commercial fishing vessel.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079610Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:27 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Life Ring in the Tree: A 4-Day Ocean Miracle Imagine a life ring, not tossed by waves, but found nine feet up a dead cedar tree, above any tide mark. This impossible discovery was the only clue to two missing people, adrift for four days in the...
Imagine a life ring, not tossed by waves, but found nine feet up a dead cedar tree, above any tide mark. This impossible discovery was the only clue to two missing people, adrift for four days in the vast Atlantic. How did the ocean carry a foam ring sixty miles and place it so deliberately, and what did it mean for the missing crew of the Caroline B.?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing four-day search for a commercial fishing vessel that vanished after a two-word distress call. We explore the critical details missed by search coordinators and the surprising items that held the key to survival, all while the ocean performed an inexplicable act of delivery.

Person: Walt Beckett, Felix Odum, Peggy Adams
Vessel: Caroline B.
Date: March 13th
Location: Offshore Brunswick, Georgia
Status: Missing for four days

- A life ring was found nine feet up a dead cedar tree at Harker's Reach.
- The Caroline B. transmitted "Taking water" at 11:22 AM on March 13th.
- Walt Beckett, the captain, was 55 and had fished off Brunswick, Georgia, for 23 years.
- Felix Odum, 26, was the deckhand and a strong swimmer.
- The Caroline B. was a 42-foot commercial fishing vessel.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1276falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-watch-that-saved-a-drowning-man-they-missed-it--73079609
Imagine being lost at sea, clinging to an overturned boat in freezing water, while search parties look 190 miles in the wrong direction. What if a single, running watch, found by a teenager, became the only clue to your survival?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing 78 hours between a sailboat capsizing and a crucial discovery. We explore the methodical decisions of a man facing catastrophe and the overlooked details that could have saved him sooner.

Person: Jeffrey Clark
Date: February 14, 2009
Location: Garrison Inlet
Status: Missing at sea (initially)
Vessel: Patience Rule

- Bruce Christensen, 14, found a watch buckled to a channel marker eight feet above the waterline.
- The Coast Guard searched for nearly three days, 190 miles in the wrong direction.
- Jeffrey Clark, 53, was an electrician specializing in marine electrical systems.
- He bought the 1978 fiberglass sloop "Patience Rule" for $41,000 in autumn 2007.
- The boat capsized at 2 AM on February 9, throwing Jeffrey into 53-degree water.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079609Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:24 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Watch That Saved a Drowning Man (They Missed It) Imagine being lost at sea, clinging to an overturned boat in freezing water, while search parties look 190 miles in the wrong direction. What if a single, running watch, found by a teenager,...
Imagine being lost at sea, clinging to an overturned boat in freezing water, while search parties look 190 miles in the wrong direction. What if a single, running watch, found by a teenager, became the only clue to your survival?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing 78 hours between a sailboat capsizing and a crucial discovery. We explore the methodical decisions of a man facing catastrophe and the overlooked details that could have saved him sooner.

Person: Jeffrey Clark
Date: February 14, 2009
Location: Garrison Inlet
Status: Missing at sea (initially)
Vessel: Patience Rule

- Bruce Christensen, 14, found a watch buckled to a channel marker eight feet above the waterline.
- The Coast Guard searched for nearly three days, 190 miles in the wrong direction.
- Jeffrey Clark, 53, was an electrician specializing in marine electrical systems.
- He bought the 1978 fiberglass sloop "Patience Rule" for $41,000 in autumn 2007.
- The boat capsized at 2 AM on February 9, throwing Jeffrey into 53-degree water.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1214falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-tide-table-that-escaped-the-ocean-first--73079608
Imagine a laminated tide table, found frozen in Vermont, forty miles from the nearest saltwater, while the woman who wrote on it was still lost at sea. How did a piece of paper escape the ocean before the people who needed rescuing did?

In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary journey of a tide table belonging to Kathleen Larsen, a seasoned delivery captain whose vessel, the Harrowgate, went down in the North Atlantic. We explore the events leading up to the capsize and the baffling discovery that sent rescuers to the wrong location.

Person: Kathleen Larsen
Vessel: Harrowgate
Location: North Atlantic
Date: January 3, 2019
Discovery Location: Harwick, Vermont

- A laminated tide table was found three inches below snowpack on Route 7, outside Harwick, Vermont.
- The nearest saltwater was forty miles south of where the tide table was discovered.
- The Harrowgate was a 1987, forty-two-foot cutter-rigged sloop.
- The vessel went down ninety miles east-southeast of Nantucket in thirty-five to forty knots of northwest wind.
- It took thirty-seven minutes for the Harrowgate to go under after being struck by a rogue wave.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079608Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:21 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Tide Table That Escaped The Ocean First Imagine a laminated tide table, found frozen in Vermont, forty miles from the nearest saltwater, while the woman who wrote on it was still lost at sea. How did a piece of paper escape the ocean before the...
Imagine a laminated tide table, found frozen in Vermont, forty miles from the nearest saltwater, while the woman who wrote on it was still lost at sea. How did a piece of paper escape the ocean before the people who needed rescuing did?

In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary journey of a tide table belonging to Kathleen Larsen, a seasoned delivery captain whose vessel, the Harrowgate, went down in the North Atlantic. We explore the events leading up to the capsize and the baffling discovery that sent rescuers to the wrong location.

Person: Kathleen Larsen
Vessel: Harrowgate
Location: North Atlantic
Date: January 3, 2019
Discovery Location: Harwick, Vermont

- A laminated tide table was found three inches below snowpack on Route 7, outside Harwick, Vermont.
- The nearest saltwater was forty miles south of where the tide table was discovered.
- The Harrowgate was a 1987, forty-two-foot cutter-rigged sloop.
- The vessel went down ninety miles east-southeast of Nantucket in thirty-five to forty knots of northwest wind.
- It took thirty-seven minutes for the Harrowgate to go under after being struck by a rogue wave.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1206falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-cargo-manifest-found-nine-days-later--73079607
Imagine nine days adrift in open water, battered by tidal surges and gulf winds, only for a single sheet of paper to be found completely dry. This cargo manifest, discovered on a relay station roof, belonged to the missing boat Connie Rae and should not have existed in that condition, or on that roof at all. How did it get there, and what did it mean for the missing captain?

In this episode, we delve into the mysterious discovery of a dry cargo manifest and the methodical life of Captain Sandra Berry, who meticulously prepared for every eventuality on her "milk run" deliveries. We explore the conditions leading up to the Connie Rae's disappearance and the hidden dangers of the sea that even the most prepared captains could not chart.

Person: Rhonda Burns
Boat: Connie Rae
Date: December third
Location: Keller Bay
Cargo: Forty-one propane cylinders, frozen shellfish, groceries

- The dry cargo manifest was found on the roof of the Durbin Key relay station.
- The Connie Rae was a fifty-two-foot aluminum-hulled supply boat.
- Captain Sandra Berry had been captaining the Connie Rae for eleven months.
- The Keller Bay-Sable Point run was a twelve-mile route.
- A subsurface current, known as "the slide," ran approximately nine feet beneath the hull.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079607Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:18 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Cargo Manifest Found Nine Days Later Imagine nine days adrift in open water, battered by tidal surges and gulf winds, only for a single sheet of paper to be found completely dry. This cargo manifest, discovered on a relay station roof,...
Imagine nine days adrift in open water, battered by tidal surges and gulf winds, only for a single sheet of paper to be found completely dry. This cargo manifest, discovered on a relay station roof, belonged to the missing boat Connie Rae and should not have existed in that condition, or on that roof at all. How did it get there, and what did it mean for the missing captain?

In this episode, we delve into the mysterious discovery of a dry cargo manifest and the methodical life of Captain Sandra Berry, who meticulously prepared for every eventuality on her "milk run" deliveries. We explore the conditions leading up to the Connie Rae's disappearance and the hidden dangers of the sea that even the most prepared captains could not chart.

Person: Rhonda Burns
Boat: Connie Rae
Date: December third
Location: Keller Bay
Cargo: Forty-one propane cylinders, frozen shellfish, groceries

- The dry cargo manifest was found on the roof of the Durbin Key relay station.
- The Connie Rae was a fifty-two-foot aluminum-hulled supply boat.
- Captain Sandra Berry had been captaining the Connie Rae for eleven months.
- The Keller Bay-Sable Point run was a twelve-mile route.
- A subsurface current, known as "the slide," ran approximately nine feet beneath the hull.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1141falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-notebook-she-sailed-then-vanished--73079606
Imagine the chilling discovery: a sealed notebook, dry as paper, found floating in the Harwick Inlet. Its final entry, "Lost steering cable," hints at a terrifying ordeal at sea. What happened to Judith Vaughn, the stubborn marine biologist, after she abandoned her sloop and disappeared into the Atlantic?

In this episode, we delve into the disappearance of Judith Vaughn, a seasoned sailor whose meticulous preparation met with unforeseen challenges. We explore the critical decisions made in the face of a failing vessel and the incredible distances her emergency equipment traveled.

Person: Judith Vaughn
Date: November 14, 2017 (notebook found)
Location: Harwick Inlet, Georgia coast
Vessel: Patience Found (40-foot sloop)
Status: Vanished

- Randy Padgett found the notebook at 6:22 AM on November 14, 2017.
- Judith Vaughn was 55 years old and a retired marine biologist.
- Her life raft, rated for six people, drifted for nine days.
- The life raft was found 40 miles from where the ship went down and 112 miles from where the notebook appeared.
- The last logbook entry, made at 3:10 AM on November 5, recorded winds at 28 knots and seas 8-10 feet.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079606Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:15 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Notebook: She Sailed, Then Vanished Imagine the chilling discovery: a sealed notebook, dry as paper, found floating in the Harwick Inlet. Its final entry, "Lost steering cable," hints at a terrifying ordeal at sea. What happened to Judith...
Imagine the chilling discovery: a sealed notebook, dry as paper, found floating in the Harwick Inlet. Its final entry, "Lost steering cable," hints at a terrifying ordeal at sea. What happened to Judith Vaughn, the stubborn marine biologist, after she abandoned her sloop and disappeared into the Atlantic?

In this episode, we delve into the disappearance of Judith Vaughn, a seasoned sailor whose meticulous preparation met with unforeseen challenges. We explore the critical decisions made in the face of a failing vessel and the incredible distances her emergency equipment traveled.

Person: Judith Vaughn
Date: November 14, 2017 (notebook found)
Location: Harwick Inlet, Georgia coast
Vessel: Patience Found (40-foot sloop)
Status: Vanished

- Randy Padgett found the notebook at 6:22 AM on November 14, 2017.
- Judith Vaughn was 55 years old and a retired marine biologist.
- Her life raft, rated for six people, drifted for nine days.
- The life raft was found 40 miles from where the ship went down and 112 miles from where the notebook appeared.
- The last logbook entry, made at 3:10 AM on November 5, recorded winds at 28 knots and seas 8-10 feet.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1211falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-light-was-still-burning-eight-days-adrift--73079605
Imagine being alone at sea for eight days, your radio broken, your engine gone, and the search-and-rescue team looking in the wrong place. Before her rescue, 22-year-old Crystal Lane recorded a message for a man named Melvin Dalton, detailing her boat's location, her crewman's disappearance, and a curious instruction: she left the light on in the nav station. What compelled her to leave a light burning in an empty boat, and what happened during those harrowing eight days?

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary survival story of Crystal Lane, who was pulled from the southern Gulf of Mexico after eight days adrift. We explore her background as a seasoned sailor, the fateful delivery run of the Cormorant Blue, and the series of events that led to her crewman going overboard and her subsequent struggle for survival.

Person: Crystal Lane
Date: October 13, 2011
Location: Southern Gulf of Mexico
Vessel: Cormorant Blue
Duration Adrift: Eight days

- Crystal Lane was 22 years old when she was rescued.
- She recorded a message on a Sony microcassette recorder before her rescue.
- The Cormorant Blue was a 41-foot ketch.
- The vessel's fuel tanks were filled to 78 gallons, providing a motoring range of approximately 600 nautical miles.
- The EPIRB registration was outdated, pointing to an old address.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079605Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:12 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Light Was Still Burning: Eight Days Adrift Imagine being alone at sea for eight days, your radio broken, your engine gone, and the search-and-rescue team looking in the wrong place. Before her rescue, 22-year-old Crystal Lane recorded a message...
Imagine being alone at sea for eight days, your radio broken, your engine gone, and the search-and-rescue team looking in the wrong place. Before her rescue, 22-year-old Crystal Lane recorded a message for a man named Melvin Dalton, detailing her boat's location, her crewman's disappearance, and a curious instruction: she left the light on in the nav station. What compelled her to leave a light burning in an empty boat, and what happened during those harrowing eight days?

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary survival story of Crystal Lane, who was pulled from the southern Gulf of Mexico after eight days adrift. We explore her background as a seasoned sailor, the fateful delivery run of the Cormorant Blue, and the series of events that led to her crewman going overboard and her subsequent struggle for survival.

Person: Crystal Lane
Date: October 13, 2011
Location: Southern Gulf of Mexico
Vessel: Cormorant Blue
Duration Adrift: Eight days

- Crystal Lane was 22 years old when she was rescued.
- She recorded a message on a Sony microcassette recorder before her rescue.
- The Cormorant Blue was a 41-foot ketch.
- The vessel's fuel tanks were filled to 78 gallons, providing a motoring range of approximately 600 nautical miles.
- The EPIRB registration was outdated, pointing to an old address.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1183falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-suit-protocol-who-wears-it-when-death-calls--73079603
A notebook, forty-one pages of handwriting, was found completely dry beneath a submerged dock float after more than seventy-two hours in tidal water-a detail that should be impossible. How did this sealed, untouched record of a harrowing ordeal end up in such an unlikely place?

In this episode, we uncover the story of three men aboard a forty-two-foot ketch sixty miles offshore, unprepared for the conditions that would test their limits. The narrative begins with a critical decision about a single dry suit and escalates into a desperate struggle for survival against the unforgiving Atlantic.

Person: Donna Olson
Date: September 14, 2019
Location: Braden Cove, Maine
Vessel: Alva Mae
Status: Submerged notebook recovered

- The notebook was found with forty-one dry pages, despite being submerged for over seventy-two hours.
- Ryan Cooper, a marine inspection technician, had previously flagged the Alva Mae's GPS chartplotter as suitable only for coastal use.
- Todd Farwell purchased his own dry suit for the trip, sized for a man of six feet two inches.
- The Alva Mae departed Rockland on September 11, 2019, with a water temperature of fifty-three degrees Fahrenheit.
- Tom Briggs was in fifty-three-degree Fahrenheit water for eleven seconds after being struck by the boom.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079603Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:09 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Suit Protocol: Who Wears It When Death Calls? A notebook, forty-one pages of handwriting, was found completely dry beneath a submerged dock float after more than seventy-two hours in tidal water-a detail that should be impossible. How did...
A notebook, forty-one pages of handwriting, was found completely dry beneath a submerged dock float after more than seventy-two hours in tidal water-a detail that should be impossible. How did this sealed, untouched record of a harrowing ordeal end up in such an unlikely place?

In this episode, we uncover the story of three men aboard a forty-two-foot ketch sixty miles offshore, unprepared for the conditions that would test their limits. The narrative begins with a critical decision about a single dry suit and escalates into a desperate struggle for survival against the unforgiving Atlantic.

Person: Donna Olson
Date: September 14, 2019
Location: Braden Cove, Maine
Vessel: Alva Mae
Status: Submerged notebook recovered

- The notebook was found with forty-one dry pages, despite being submerged for over seventy-two hours.
- Ryan Cooper, a marine inspection technician, had previously flagged the Alva Mae's GPS chartplotter as suitable only for coastal use.
- Todd Farwell purchased his own dry suit for the trip, sized for a man of six feet two inches.
- The Alva Mae departed Rockland on September 11, 2019, with a water temperature of fifty-three degrees Fahrenheit.
- Tom Briggs was in fifty-three-degree Fahrenheit water for eleven seconds after being struck by the boom.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1257falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-child-s-shoe-nailed-to-the-buoy-a-survivor-s-haunting-secret--73079602
Seventy miles offshore, a child's size four shoe was found nailed to a rusted buoy, its laces tied in a perfect bow, with no missing child reports. How did this impossible detail lead rescuers to a sixty-three-year-old woman clinging to a life raft nine days after her boat vanished?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing events aboard the sailing vessel Ardmore Bell after an unnamed storm tore through the South Carolina shelf. We explore the meticulous notebook entries of a survivor, the unwavering loyalty of a beagle, and the perplexing clues that confounded investigators.

Person: Gloria Campbell
Person: Thomas Eddy
Vessel: Ardmore Bell
Location: South Carolina shelf
Date: August 1st

- A child's size four white canvas shoe was nailed to buoy 14-Foxtrot, 70 miles offshore.
- Gloria Campbell, a 63-year-old marine surveyor, survived 9 days on a life raft.
- The Ardmore Bell, a 38-foot ketch, vanished after a storm with sustained winds of 51 knots.
- Gloria Campbell's rigging knife made a clean, diagonal cut to free the jammed life raft painter line.
- A beagle named Pickett, 14 years old, led his owner to the water on August 9th.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079602Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:06 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Child's Shoe Nailed To The Buoy: A Survivor's Haunting Secret Seventy miles offshore, a child's size four shoe was found nailed to a rusted buoy, its laces tied in a perfect bow, with no missing child reports. How did this impossible detail...
Seventy miles offshore, a child's size four shoe was found nailed to a rusted buoy, its laces tied in a perfect bow, with no missing child reports. How did this impossible detail lead rescuers to a sixty-three-year-old woman clinging to a life raft nine days after her boat vanished?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing events aboard the sailing vessel Ardmore Bell after an unnamed storm tore through the South Carolina shelf. We explore the meticulous notebook entries of a survivor, the unwavering loyalty of a beagle, and the perplexing clues that confounded investigators.

Person: Gloria Campbell
Person: Thomas Eddy
Vessel: Ardmore Bell
Location: South Carolina shelf
Date: August 1st

- A child's size four white canvas shoe was nailed to buoy 14-Foxtrot, 70 miles offshore.
- Gloria Campbell, a 63-year-old marine surveyor, survived 9 days on a life raft.
- The Ardmore Bell, a 38-foot ketch, vanished after a storm with sustained winds of 51 knots.
- Gloria Campbell's rigging knife made a clean, diagonal cut to free the jammed life raft painter line.
- A beagle named Pickett, 14 years old, led his owner to the water on August 9th.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1265falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-life-ring-was-still-in-its-bracket--73079601
A rescue swimmer found a dismasted boat listing to port with three survivors, yet its life ring remained in its bracket, pristine. What could explain this unsettling detail on a vessel that had endured four days of peril?

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing four days in the Gulf of Mexico aboard the Ardent Cross, a thirty-two-foot racing sloop. We uncover how a critical oversight with an emergency beacon sent rescuers to the wrong boat, and explore a dark decision that may have saved-or nearly ended-three lives.

Person: Marcia Wells, Tom Ashby, Diane Sorel, Steven Murphy
Date: July 9, 2019
Location: Gulf of Mexico, Chandler, Florida, Pensacola, Florida
Vessel: Ardent Cross, Meridian Wayfarer
Event: Chandler-to-Tampico Offshore Race

- Marcia Wells, 26, skippered the Ardent Cross for the Chandler-to-Tampico Offshore Race.
- Tom Ashby, 28, the rigger, was dragged into the water and sustained two fractured ribs and a deep laceration.
- Diane Sorel, 31, a marine electronics specialist, inspected the EPIRB but did not verify its digital ID.
- The Ardent Cross was dismasted 90 miles off the Florida coast during a squall with gusts above 50 knots.
- The EPIRB signal, activated by Marcia, led rescuers to the Meridian Wayfarer, a different boat docked in Pensacola.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079601Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:03 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Life Ring Was Still In Its Bracket A rescue swimmer found a dismasted boat listing to port with three survivors, yet its life ring remained in its bracket, pristine. What could explain this unsettling detail on a vessel that had endured four...
A rescue swimmer found a dismasted boat listing to port with three survivors, yet its life ring remained in its bracket, pristine. What could explain this unsettling detail on a vessel that had endured four days of peril?

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing four days in the Gulf of Mexico aboard the Ardent Cross, a thirty-two-foot racing sloop. We uncover how a critical oversight with an emergency beacon sent rescuers to the wrong boat, and explore a dark decision that may have saved-or nearly ended-three lives.

Person: Marcia Wells, Tom Ashby, Diane Sorel, Steven Murphy
Date: July 9, 2019
Location: Gulf of Mexico, Chandler, Florida, Pensacola, Florida
Vessel: Ardent Cross, Meridian Wayfarer
Event: Chandler-to-Tampico Offshore Race

- Marcia Wells, 26, skippered the Ardent Cross for the Chandler-to-Tampico Offshore Race.
- Tom Ashby, 28, the rigger, was dragged into the water and sustained two fractured ribs and a deep laceration.
- Diane Sorel, 31, a marine electronics specialist, inspected the EPIRB but did not verify its digital ID.
- The Ardent Cross was dismasted 90 miles off the Florida coast during a squall with gusts above 50 knots.
- The EPIRB signal, activated by Marcia, led rescuers to the Meridian Wayfarer, a different boat docked in Pensacola.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1125falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/six-days-adrift-the-fork-that-saved-a-man--73079600
Imagine being adrift in the vast Pacific, beyond any search area, with no life raft, for six days. Russell Wagner survived this impossible ordeal, but his story isn't about luck; it's about an inexplicable decision made in the final four minutes before his ship sank. What compels a person to grab a stainless steel fork as their world collapses?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing survival of Russell Wagner after the Mira June went down, leaving three crew members lost at sea. Nineteen months later, a piece of debris with a fork embedded in it washed ashore, providing the crucial clue that revealed Wagner's incredible journey and the limits of human endurance.

Person: Russell Wagner
Vessel: Mira June
Event: Shipwreck
Location: Pacific Ocean
Date: May 29th (shipwreck), June 12th (debris found 19 months later)

- The Mira June was 230 nautical miles offshore when a storm hit.
- The mast came down at 3:40 AM on May 29th.
- Sasha Fenn, 26, was swept from the deck and never seen again.
- Russell Wagner had four minutes between realizing the ship was lost and water reaching his boots.
- The piece of marine plywood with the fork traveled over 200 nautical miles.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079600Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:08:01 +0000Creator at ObomediaSix Days Adrift: The Fork That Saved a Man Imagine being adrift in the vast Pacific, beyond any search area, with no life raft, for six days. Russell Wagner survived this impossible ordeal, but his story isn't about luck; it's about an inexplicable...
Imagine being adrift in the vast Pacific, beyond any search area, with no life raft, for six days. Russell Wagner survived this impossible ordeal, but his story isn't about luck; it's about an inexplicable decision made in the final four minutes before his ship sank. What compels a person to grab a stainless steel fork as their world collapses?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing survival of Russell Wagner after the Mira June went down, leaving three crew members lost at sea. Nineteen months later, a piece of debris with a fork embedded in it washed ashore, providing the crucial clue that revealed Wagner's incredible journey and the limits of human endurance.

Person: Russell Wagner
Vessel: Mira June
Event: Shipwreck
Location: Pacific Ocean
Date: May 29th (shipwreck), June 12th (debris found 19 months later)

- The Mira June was 230 nautical miles offshore when a storm hit.
- The mast came down at 3:40 AM on May 29th.
- Sasha Fenn, 26, was swept from the deck and never seen again.
- Russell Wagner had four minutes between realizing the ship was lost and water reaching his boots.
- The piece of marine plywood with the fork traveled over 200 nautical miles.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1260falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-logbook-that-saved-her-but-no-one-read--73079599
Imagine a logbook, waterlogged and salt-crusted, yet every word perfectly legible after 72 hours adrift in the Gulf. This incredible artifact belonged to Rachel Wallace, a marine surveyor the Coast Guard had already stopped searching for. How did this unreadable logbook become the most precise record of survival at sea ever found?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing journey of Rachel Wallace, whose meticulous logbook detailed her eight days alone on open water after her boat, the Meridian Clause, was caught in an unexpected current. We explore how a machine built to save her nearly cost her everything, and how the very thing that almost killed her was not the storm or the lost mast, but a current running exactly as it was supposed to.

Person: Rachel Wallace
Date: May 8th
Location: Pelican Basin Marina
Status: Survived
Event: Solo coastal passage

- Rachel Wallace, a 32-year-old marine surveyor from Sarasota, Florida, meticulously refitted her boat, the Meridian Clause, over 18 months.
- On May 8th, at 6:40 AM, Rachel untied her boat from slip 44 and motored out to open water.
- A storm anchor, a parachute drogue, held her boat stable for 14 hours while an unpredicted Loop Current carried it 61 miles northeast.
- After her mast came down around 2 AM on May 10th, Rachel spent 40 minutes in the dark cutting it free with a handsaw.
- She inventoried 12 gallons of fuel, 8 gallons of fresh water, 4 parachute flares, and 10 days of food, then rigged a sail that gave her 1.5 knots.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079599Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:57 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Logbook That Saved Her, But No One Read Imagine a logbook, waterlogged and salt-crusted, yet every word perfectly legible after 72 hours adrift in the Gulf. This incredible artifact belonged to Rachel Wallace, a marine surveyor the Coast Guard...
Imagine a logbook, waterlogged and salt-crusted, yet every word perfectly legible after 72 hours adrift in the Gulf. This incredible artifact belonged to Rachel Wallace, a marine surveyor the Coast Guard had already stopped searching for. How did this unreadable logbook become the most precise record of survival at sea ever found?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing journey of Rachel Wallace, whose meticulous logbook detailed her eight days alone on open water after her boat, the Meridian Clause, was caught in an unexpected current. We explore how a machine built to save her nearly cost her everything, and how the very thing that almost killed her was not the storm or the lost mast, but a current running exactly as it was supposed to.

Person: Rachel Wallace
Date: May 8th
Location: Pelican Basin Marina
Status: Survived
Event: Solo coastal passage

- Rachel Wallace, a 32-year-old marine surveyor from Sarasota, Florida, meticulously refitted her boat, the Meridian Clause, over 18 months.
- On May 8th, at 6:40 AM, Rachel untied her boat from slip 44 and motored out to open water.
- A storm anchor, a parachute drogue, held her boat stable for 14 hours while an unpredicted Loop Current carried it 61 miles northeast.
- After her mast came down around 2 AM on May 10th, Rachel spent 40 minutes in the dark cutting it free with a handsaw.
- She inventoried 12 gallons of fuel, 8 gallons of fresh water, 4 parachute flares, and 10 days of food, then rigged a sail that gave her 1.5 knots.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1117falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-glove-the-eggs-and-eight-days-adrift--73079598
Imagine a sailboat found adrift, engine running, with a warm breakfast on the galley table and condensation still clinging to a coffee mug. What could cause a seasoned sailor to vanish mid-meal, leaving behind a single green wool glove and an untouched emergency beacon?

In this episode, we uncover the baffling disappearance of Wendy Morgan from her sloop, the Calista Jo, and the chain of events that led to a frantic search and an unexpected survival story. We explore the critical details that sent rescuers in the wrong direction and the one omission that changed everything.

Person: Wendy Morgan
Boat: Calista Jo
Date: April 13-14, 2019
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
Object: Green wool glove

- A bird-watcher spotted the Calista Jo turning slow arcs roughly 400 yards out from Pelican Flats Marina.
- The boat's engine was running at 700 RPM with a quarter tank of fuel when boarded by a deputy.
- A pan of scrambled eggs with diced pepper was found faintly warm on the skillet in the galley.
- Wendy Morgan held a United States Coast Guard captain's license and had completed an offshore safety course in 2016.
- Tom Eccles brought a six-person ocean life raft aboard the Calista Jo on the morning of April 13.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079598Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:55 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Glove, The Eggs, and Eight Days Adrift Imagine a sailboat found adrift, engine running, with a warm breakfast on the galley table and condensation still clinging to a coffee mug. What could cause a seasoned sailor to vanish mid-meal, leaving...
Imagine a sailboat found adrift, engine running, with a warm breakfast on the galley table and condensation still clinging to a coffee mug. What could cause a seasoned sailor to vanish mid-meal, leaving behind a single green wool glove and an untouched emergency beacon?

In this episode, we uncover the baffling disappearance of Wendy Morgan from her sloop, the Calista Jo, and the chain of events that led to a frantic search and an unexpected survival story. We explore the critical details that sent rescuers in the wrong direction and the one omission that changed everything.

Person: Wendy Morgan
Boat: Calista Jo
Date: April 13-14, 2019
Location: Beaufort, South Carolina
Object: Green wool glove

- A bird-watcher spotted the Calista Jo turning slow arcs roughly 400 yards out from Pelican Flats Marina.
- The boat's engine was running at 700 RPM with a quarter tank of fuel when boarded by a deputy.
- A pan of scrambled eggs with diced pepper was found faintly warm on the skillet in the galley.
- Wendy Morgan held a United States Coast Guard captain's license and had completed an offshore safety course in 2016.
- Tom Eccles brought a six-person ocean life raft aboard the Calista Jo on the morning of April 13.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1185falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-unexplained-bowl-of-fresh-water-on-a-ghost-ship--73079597
Imagine finding a ghost ship adrift in the vast Atlantic, completely empty, save for one baffling detail: a stainless steel bowl, half-full of pure, fresh drinking water, meticulously tied to the stern. This isn't a clue or a signal; it's something far stranger, a window into a harrowing survival story. What could explain such an anomaly on a deserted vessel?

In this episode, we delve into the mystery of the Callie Ann, a seventeen-foot sailboat found abandoned with no crew, no distress signal, and an inexplicable bowl of fresh water. We explore the lives of Julie Hayes, a seasoned marine electrician, and her nephew Connor, tracing their planned voyage and the unforeseen events that led to the boat's discovery.

Person: Edward Russo
Date: March 9, 2017
Location: Heron Shoal, Atlantic Ocean
Vessel: Callie Ann
Object: Stainless steel bowl with fresh water

- A sixteen-year-old spotted the Callie Ann drifting along the south dock of Heron Shoal.
- The Coast Guard boarding crew found a stainless steel bowl with fresh water lashed to the stern cleat.
- The water in the bowl was confirmed by the Coast Guard lab in Beaufort to be uncontaminated, like tap water.
- Julie Hayes was a 44-year-old marine electrician who owned the Callie Ann.
- Her 23-year-old nephew, Connor Hayes, was crewing the Callie Ann on their planned trip.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079597Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:52 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Unexplained Bowl of Fresh Water on a Ghost Ship Imagine finding a ghost ship adrift in the vast Atlantic, completely empty, save for one baffling detail: a stainless steel bowl, half-full of pure, fresh drinking water, meticulously tied to the...
Imagine finding a ghost ship adrift in the vast Atlantic, completely empty, save for one baffling detail: a stainless steel bowl, half-full of pure, fresh drinking water, meticulously tied to the stern. This isn't a clue or a signal; it's something far stranger, a window into a harrowing survival story. What could explain such an anomaly on a deserted vessel?

In this episode, we delve into the mystery of the Callie Ann, a seventeen-foot sailboat found abandoned with no crew, no distress signal, and an inexplicable bowl of fresh water. We explore the lives of Julie Hayes, a seasoned marine electrician, and her nephew Connor, tracing their planned voyage and the unforeseen events that led to the boat's discovery.

Person: Edward Russo
Date: March 9, 2017
Location: Heron Shoal, Atlantic Ocean
Vessel: Callie Ann
Object: Stainless steel bowl with fresh water

- A sixteen-year-old spotted the Callie Ann drifting along the south dock of Heron Shoal.
- The Coast Guard boarding crew found a stainless steel bowl with fresh water lashed to the stern cleat.
- The water in the bowl was confirmed by the Coast Guard lab in Beaufort to be uncontaminated, like tap water.
- Julie Hayes was a 44-year-old marine electrician who owned the Callie Ann.
- Her 23-year-old nephew, Connor Hayes, was crewing the Callie Ann on their planned trip.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1092falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-mirror-that-traveled-900-miles-inland--73079596
Imagine finding a military-grade mirror 900 miles inland from the nearest saltwater, with Gulf of Mexico registration stamped on its back and condensation sealed inside. How did this small, two-by-three-inch mirror travel from the vast ocean to a road in Kellerton, Wisconsin?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing journey of Edward Watson, a methodical solo sailor whose delivery of the Celia Ann turned into a desperate fight for survival in the Gulf of Mexico. We explore the sequence of failures that left him adrift and how a single, deliberate choice about a mirror became his last hope.

Person: Edward Watson
Date: February 2011
Location: Gulf of Mexico / Kellerton, Wisconsin
Vessel: Celia Ann
Object: Military-surplus mirror

- A road-grader operator found the mirror on Route 9 in Kellerton, Wisconsin, 900 miles from saltwater.
- Edward Watson, 28, was delivering the 31-foot sloop Celia Ann from Pascagoula to Brownsville, Texas.
- The Celia Ann was knocked past 90 degrees by a refracted wave, causing the mast to punch a hole in the hull.
- Edward spent 40 minutes cutting the mast free and an hour patching the hole with a sleeping bag section and epoxy putty.
- All three flare kits failed due to a leaking locker seam, forcing Edward to rely on the signaling mirror.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079596Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:49 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Mirror That Traveled 900 Miles Inland Imagine finding a military-grade mirror 900 miles inland from the nearest saltwater, with Gulf of Mexico registration stamped on its back and condensation sealed inside. How did this small,...
Imagine finding a military-grade mirror 900 miles inland from the nearest saltwater, with Gulf of Mexico registration stamped on its back and condensation sealed inside. How did this small, two-by-three-inch mirror travel from the vast ocean to a road in Kellerton, Wisconsin?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing journey of Edward Watson, a methodical solo sailor whose delivery of the Celia Ann turned into a desperate fight for survival in the Gulf of Mexico. We explore the sequence of failures that left him adrift and how a single, deliberate choice about a mirror became his last hope.

Person: Edward Watson
Date: February 2011
Location: Gulf of Mexico / Kellerton, Wisconsin
Vessel: Celia Ann
Object: Military-surplus mirror

- A road-grader operator found the mirror on Route 9 in Kellerton, Wisconsin, 900 miles from saltwater.
- Edward Watson, 28, was delivering the 31-foot sloop Celia Ann from Pascagoula to Brownsville, Texas.
- The Celia Ann was knocked past 90 degrees by a refracted wave, causing the mast to punch a hole in the hull.
- Edward spent 40 minutes cutting the mast free and an hour patching the hole with a sleeping bag section and epoxy putty.
- All three flare kits failed due to a leaking locker seam, forcing Edward to rely on the signaling mirror.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1136falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-logbook-found-47-miles-inland-what-happened--73079595
Imagine a red notebook, warm from a transformer pole, found 47 miles inland in Kessler County, Georgia, with no marina nearby. This logbook, which had been at sea just thirteen days earlier, contained sun angles and a sketch of a steel deck cleat. How did it get there, and what secrets does it hold about a search that went wrong?

In this episode, we uncover the astonishing journey of a logbook and the three men aboard the sloop Cora Beth, whose voyage to Nassau, Bahamas, was interrupted by an unpredicted, massive wave. We explore the contradictions in a rescue system that searched the wrong ocean and the unexpected tool that saved a life.

Person: Vernon Russo
Date: January 4, 2004
Location: Brunswick, Georgia
Vessel: Cora Beth
Destination: Nassau, Bahamas

- A utility worker found a red-covered notebook wedged in a transformer pole bracket 47 miles inland.
- The notebook contained drawings of sun angles and a steel deck cleat.
- The search for the vessel was suspended three days before the survivor was found.
- The rescue beacon (EPIRB) drifted 30 miles in the wrong direction.
- A 30 to 35-foot wave struck the Cora Beth on January 6, 2004, at 6:40 PM.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079595Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:46 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Logbook Found 47 Miles Inland: What Happened? Imagine a red notebook, warm from a transformer pole, found 47 miles inland in Kessler County, Georgia, with no marina nearby. This logbook, which had been at sea just thirteen days earlier,...
Imagine a red notebook, warm from a transformer pole, found 47 miles inland in Kessler County, Georgia, with no marina nearby. This logbook, which had been at sea just thirteen days earlier, contained sun angles and a sketch of a steel deck cleat. How did it get there, and what secrets does it hold about a search that went wrong?

In this episode, we uncover the astonishing journey of a logbook and the three men aboard the sloop Cora Beth, whose voyage to Nassau, Bahamas, was interrupted by an unpredicted, massive wave. We explore the contradictions in a rescue system that searched the wrong ocean and the unexpected tool that saved a life.

Person: Vernon Russo
Date: January 4, 2004
Location: Brunswick, Georgia
Vessel: Cora Beth
Destination: Nassau, Bahamas

- A utility worker found a red-covered notebook wedged in a transformer pole bracket 47 miles inland.
- The notebook contained drawings of sun angles and a steel deck cleat.
- The search for the vessel was suspended three days before the survivor was found.
- The rescue beacon (EPIRB) drifted 30 miles in the wrong direction.
- A 30 to 35-foot wave struck the Cora Beth on January 6, 2004, at 6:40 PM.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1196falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nine-days-adrift-the-notebook-s-silent-scream--73079594
Imagine finding a waterlogged notebook, its 200 pages completely blank, yet bearing the ghost of frantic writing. This isn't just a lost item; it's a silent scream from the deep, a record of a terrifying ordeal at sea where every word was erased by the ocean. What harrowing events could have led to such a profound loss of a ship's log?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Marcia Griffin and Pete Schofield, who embarked on a seemingly straightforward boat delivery that quickly turned into a fight for survival against an unexpected storm. We explore the critical missteps and unfortunate coincidences that hampered rescue efforts, leaving a young, experienced sailor adrift.

Event: Harlan B. delivery run
Date: December 10, 2014 (departure)
Location: Kellner Point to Tampa Bay
Vessel: Harlan B., 32-foot sloop
Persons: Marcia Griffin (mate), Pete Schofield (crew), Frank Romano (discoverer)

- Frank Romano found a composition notebook eight feet from the waterline at Kellner Point on December 22, 2014.
- The notebook, intended as the ship's log, had 200 pages, all written on but rendered blank by seawater.
- The Harlan B. departed Kellner Point on December 10, 2014, but an unexpected front hit on December 11, 2014.
- Pete Schofield went overboard when the Harlan B. broached, due to a corroded snap shackle on his tether.
- An EPIRB transmitted for only four minutes on December 12, 2014, reporting a position 140 miles northwest of the actual wreck site.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079594Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:44 +0000Creator at ObomediaNine Days Adrift: The Notebook's Silent Scream Imagine finding a waterlogged notebook, its 200 pages completely blank, yet bearing the ghost of frantic writing. This isn't just a lost item; it's a silent scream from the deep, a record of a...
Imagine finding a waterlogged notebook, its 200 pages completely blank, yet bearing the ghost of frantic writing. This isn't just a lost item; it's a silent scream from the deep, a record of a terrifying ordeal at sea where every word was erased by the ocean. What harrowing events could have led to such a profound loss of a ship's log?

In this episode, we uncover the story of Marcia Griffin and Pete Schofield, who embarked on a seemingly straightforward boat delivery that quickly turned into a fight for survival against an unexpected storm. We explore the critical missteps and unfortunate coincidences that hampered rescue efforts, leaving a young, experienced sailor adrift.

Event: Harlan B. delivery run
Date: December 10, 2014 (departure)
Location: Kellner Point to Tampa Bay
Vessel: Harlan B., 32-foot sloop
Persons: Marcia Griffin (mate), Pete Schofield (crew), Frank Romano (discoverer)

- Frank Romano found a composition notebook eight feet from the waterline at Kellner Point on December 22, 2014.
- The notebook, intended as the ship's log, had 200 pages, all written on but rendered blank by seawater.
- The Harlan B. departed Kellner Point on December 10, 2014, but an unexpected front hit on December 11, 2014.
- Pete Schofield went overboard when the Harlan B. broached, due to a corroded snap shackle on his tether.
- An EPIRB transmitted for only four minutes on December 12, 2014, reporting a position 140 miles northwest of the actual wreck site.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1080falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-suit-on-the-fence-ten-days-adrift-three-dead--73079593
A bright orange dry suit, neatly zipped and smoothed, found hanging on a fence 40 miles from water, held a chilling secret: the label inside read NCAN. This seemingly random discovery in Harwick, Louisiana, was a direct link to a harrowing maritime disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, where a sailboat vanished and three lives were lost. How did this suit travel so far inland, and what untold story did it carry from the open sea?

In this episode, we uncover the chain of events that led to the disappearance of the 31-foot sailboat Calvert and the ten-day ordeal of its survivors on a life raft. We explore the critical role of one woman's meticulous preparation and the compounding ordinary failures that turned a routine offshore passage into a fight for survival against a dark, unseeing tanker.

Event: Sinking of the Calvert
Date: November 9, 2014
Location: Gulf of Mexico, 83 miles offshore
Vessel: Calvert, 31-foot sailboat
Survivors: 4

- A 42,000-ton tanker, the Rena Farris, struck the Calvert at 2:47 AM.
- The Calvert sank in less than four minutes, with six people initially on the life raft.
- Kathleen Duncan, a "student" with extensive deep-water experience, had a dry bag with a compass, headlamp, emergency blanket, and 1.5 liters of water.
- The life raft's certified kit included 4 liters of water, a desalination pump, flares, smoke signals, and a VHF radio.
- Survivors rationed 200 milliliters of water per person per day for nearly ten days.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079593Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:41 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Suit on the Fence: Ten Days Adrift, Three Dead A bright orange dry suit, neatly zipped and smoothed, found hanging on a fence 40 miles from water, held a chilling secret: the label inside read NCAN. This seemingly random discovery in Harwick,...
A bright orange dry suit, neatly zipped and smoothed, found hanging on a fence 40 miles from water, held a chilling secret: the label inside read NCAN. This seemingly random discovery in Harwick, Louisiana, was a direct link to a harrowing maritime disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, where a sailboat vanished and three lives were lost. How did this suit travel so far inland, and what untold story did it carry from the open sea?

In this episode, we uncover the chain of events that led to the disappearance of the 31-foot sailboat Calvert and the ten-day ordeal of its survivors on a life raft. We explore the critical role of one woman's meticulous preparation and the compounding ordinary failures that turned a routine offshore passage into a fight for survival against a dark, unseeing tanker.

Event: Sinking of the Calvert
Date: November 9, 2014
Location: Gulf of Mexico, 83 miles offshore
Vessel: Calvert, 31-foot sailboat
Survivors: 4

- A 42,000-ton tanker, the Rena Farris, struck the Calvert at 2:47 AM.
- The Calvert sank in less than four minutes, with six people initially on the life raft.
- Kathleen Duncan, a "student" with extensive deep-water experience, had a dry bag with a compass, headlamp, emergency blanket, and 1.5 liters of water.
- The life raft's certified kit included 4 liters of water, a desalination pump, flares, smoke signals, and a VHF radio.
- Survivors rationed 200 milliliters of water per person per day for nearly ten days.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1208falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-logbook-and-the-hatch-nobody-opened--73079592
Imagine finding a logbook from a vessel lost at sea, bone dry and intact, with a chilling final entry: "J still breathing. Do not open the forward hatch." What could compel a seasoned sailor to write about himself in the third person, and why the urgent warning about a hatch?

In this episode, we delve into the sixteen-day ordeal aboard the Celia Anne, a forty-one-foot sloop that departed Garibaldi, Oregon, with two men and no satellite phone. We explore the perplexing details surrounding its disappearance and the single survivor's return, uncovering a series of events that defy easy explanation.

Person: John Griffin
Vessel: Celia Anne
Departure Date: October 3, 2011
Departure Location: Garibaldi, Oregon
Crew: Two men

- The logbook was found bone dry, not salt-crusted or tide-stained, despite drifting for five and a half hours in the North Pacific.
- The final legible entry in the logbook read: "J still breathing. Do not open the forward hatch."
- The Celia Anne's EPIRB was incorrectly registered to a twenty-six-foot vessel from Depoe Bay, leading searchers eighty miles in the wrong direction for four days.
- John Griffin, 62, had been sailing the Oregon coast for eighteen years, delivering boats for owners.
- The watermaker failed on October 4, leaving the crew with only thirty-one liters of fresh water, enough for approximately eight days at strict rationing.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079592Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:38 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Logbook and the Hatch Nobody Opened Imagine finding a logbook from a vessel lost at sea, bone dry and intact, with a chilling final entry: "J still breathing. Do not open the forward hatch." What could compel a seasoned sailor to write...
Imagine finding a logbook from a vessel lost at sea, bone dry and intact, with a chilling final entry: "J still breathing. Do not open the forward hatch." What could compel a seasoned sailor to write about himself in the third person, and why the urgent warning about a hatch?

In this episode, we delve into the sixteen-day ordeal aboard the Celia Anne, a forty-one-foot sloop that departed Garibaldi, Oregon, with two men and no satellite phone. We explore the perplexing details surrounding its disappearance and the single survivor's return, uncovering a series of events that defy easy explanation.

Person: John Griffin
Vessel: Celia Anne
Departure Date: October 3, 2011
Departure Location: Garibaldi, Oregon
Crew: Two men

- The logbook was found bone dry, not salt-crusted or tide-stained, despite drifting for five and a half hours in the North Pacific.
- The final legible entry in the logbook read: "J still breathing. Do not open the forward hatch."
- The Celia Anne's EPIRB was incorrectly registered to a twenty-six-foot vessel from Depoe Bay, leading searchers eighty miles in the wrong direction for four days.
- John Griffin, 62, had been sailing the Oregon coast for eighteen years, delivering boats for owners.
- The watermaker failed on October 4, leaving the crew with only thirty-one liters of fresh water, enough for approximately eight days at strict rationing.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1191falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-water-wing-eleven-miles-inland-no-ocean--73079591
A faded orange water wing, smelling of diesel and brine, appeared on a nature trail in Prevost, Louisiana, eleven miles from the nearest saltwater. This seemingly impossible discovery would reopen a federal investigation and reveal a night that claimed one life and nearly three others. How did a water wing from the open Gulf end up so far inland?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious journey of a water wing found in an unlikely location and the harrowing maritime disaster it connects to. We delve into the lives of the four individuals aboard the Marguerite D. and the chain of events that led to a catastrophic fire at sea, leaving survivors clinging to life in the Gulf of Mexico.

Location: Prevost, Louisiana
Date: September 14, 2019
Object: Faded orange water wing
Vessel: Marguerite D.
Crew: Frances Berry, Warren Fitch, Doug Ellerbe, Nina Ellerbe

- The water wing was found on a nature trail in Prevost, Louisiana, eleven miles from saltwater.
- The trail's Sable Creek begins behind a livestock auction house and ends in a retention pond.
- Frances Berry held a Coast Guard captain's license for vessels under one hundred tons.
- The Marguerite D. departed Cocodrie Marina at 6:00 AM on September 11, 2019.
- The EPIRB activated at 12:18 AM, sending a GPS fix accurate to one hundred meters.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079591Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:36 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Water Wing: Eleven Miles Inland, No Ocean A faded orange water wing, smelling of diesel and brine, appeared on a nature trail in Prevost, Louisiana, eleven miles from the nearest saltwater. This seemingly impossible discovery would reopen a...
A faded orange water wing, smelling of diesel and brine, appeared on a nature trail in Prevost, Louisiana, eleven miles from the nearest saltwater. This seemingly impossible discovery would reopen a federal investigation and reveal a night that claimed one life and nearly three others. How did a water wing from the open Gulf end up so far inland?

In this episode, we explore the mysterious journey of a water wing found in an unlikely location and the harrowing maritime disaster it connects to. We delve into the lives of the four individuals aboard the Marguerite D. and the chain of events that led to a catastrophic fire at sea, leaving survivors clinging to life in the Gulf of Mexico.

Location: Prevost, Louisiana
Date: September 14, 2019
Object: Faded orange water wing
Vessel: Marguerite D.
Crew: Frances Berry, Warren Fitch, Doug Ellerbe, Nina Ellerbe

- The water wing was found on a nature trail in Prevost, Louisiana, eleven miles from saltwater.
- The trail's Sable Creek begins behind a livestock auction house and ends in a retention pond.
- Frances Berry held a Coast Guard captain's license for vessels under one hundred tons.
- The Marguerite D. departed Cocodrie Marina at 6:00 AM on September 11, 2019.
- The EPIRB activated at 12:18 AM, sending a GPS fix accurate to one hundred meters.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1160falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lifering-found-adrift-the-disappearance-of-judith-carlson--73079589
Imagine finding a perfectly dry life ring, eleven miles offshore, bearing the name of a vessel no one reported missing. This isn't just a mystery; it's a chilling puzzle that began when Rebecca Novak discovered a barnacle-crusted lifering from the "Marguerite" with no distress call logged. What could this solitary clue reveal about the fate of its owner, Judith Carlson, a meticulous marine surveyor?

In this episode, we delve into the perplexing disappearance of Judith Carlson in the Gulf of Mexico, tracing the events from the discovery of her life ring to the critical details that redirected the entire search. We explore the character of a woman whose competence was her religion and how her precise nature might have played a role in her final, desperate actions.

Person: Judith Carlson
Date: August 19, 2011 (lifering found)
Location: Gulf of Mexico, 11 miles offshore
Vessel: Marguerite (32-foot fiberglass sloop)
Profession: Marine surveyor

- Rebecca Novak found the life ring 11 miles offshore while pulling longline gear.
- The life ring was stenciled with "MARGUERITE / PORT SULPHUR" and was dry inside.
- Judith Carlson, 46, was a marine surveyor for two decades out of Port Sulphur, Louisiana.
- Her EPIRB was registered and tested, and the life ring had been re-sealed two seasons prior.
- On August 14, Judith deployed the life ring as a sea anchor, tied to 50 feet of dock line.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079589Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:33 +0000Creator at ObomediaLifering Found Adrift: The Disappearance of Judith Carlson Imagine finding a perfectly dry life ring, eleven miles offshore, bearing the name of a vessel no one reported missing. This isn't just a mystery; it's a chilling puzzle that began when...
Imagine finding a perfectly dry life ring, eleven miles offshore, bearing the name of a vessel no one reported missing. This isn't just a mystery; it's a chilling puzzle that began when Rebecca Novak discovered a barnacle-crusted lifering from the "Marguerite" with no distress call logged. What could this solitary clue reveal about the fate of its owner, Judith Carlson, a meticulous marine surveyor?

In this episode, we delve into the perplexing disappearance of Judith Carlson in the Gulf of Mexico, tracing the events from the discovery of her life ring to the critical details that redirected the entire search. We explore the character of a woman whose competence was her religion and how her precise nature might have played a role in her final, desperate actions.

Person: Judith Carlson
Date: August 19, 2011 (lifering found)
Location: Gulf of Mexico, 11 miles offshore
Vessel: Marguerite (32-foot fiberglass sloop)
Profession: Marine surveyor

- Rebecca Novak found the life ring 11 miles offshore while pulling longline gear.
- The life ring was stenciled with "MARGUERITE / PORT SULPHUR" and was dry inside.
- Judith Carlson, 46, was a marine surveyor for two decades out of Port Sulphur, Louisiana.
- Her EPIRB was registered and tested, and the life ring had been re-sealed two seasons prior.
- On August 14, Judith deployed the life ring as a sea anchor, tied to 50 feet of dock line.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>956falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-notebook-that-sailed-200-miles-alone--73079588
Imagine surviving 23 days adrift in the open ocean with no food, no compass, and no GPS, only to be found 200 miles from where you were last seen. How did a waterlogged spiral notebook, last seen in the Florida Straits, end up in a Georgia tidal marsh 23 days later, and what secret did it hold about a man's impossible survival?

In this episode, we uncover the astonishing story of John Whitley, a diesel mechanic whose precise routines and an extraordinary astronomical observation, made with two broken ribs, guided him to safety after his boat capsized. Discover the critical error in official search efforts and the unique current that defied all operational charts.

Person: John Whitley
Date: August 1, 2014
Location: Georgia coast
Status: Found alive
Object: Spiral notebook

- Emily Henderson found a spiral notebook embedded in mud in a Georgia tidal marsh.
- The notebook was last seen 212 miles away, 23 days earlier, in the Florida Straits.
- Loose paper in open saltwater typically becomes pulp in 72 hours.
- John Whitley was found 30 yards from the notebook, conscious, after 23 days in the water.
- The official search for Whitley was conducted 200 miles in the wrong direction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079588Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:30 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Notebook That Sailed 200 Miles Alone Imagine surviving 23 days adrift in the open ocean with no food, no compass, and no GPS, only to be found 200 miles from where you were last seen. How did a waterlogged spiral notebook, last seen in the...
Imagine surviving 23 days adrift in the open ocean with no food, no compass, and no GPS, only to be found 200 miles from where you were last seen. How did a waterlogged spiral notebook, last seen in the Florida Straits, end up in a Georgia tidal marsh 23 days later, and what secret did it hold about a man's impossible survival?

In this episode, we uncover the astonishing story of John Whitley, a diesel mechanic whose precise routines and an extraordinary astronomical observation, made with two broken ribs, guided him to safety after his boat capsized. Discover the critical error in official search efforts and the unique current that defied all operational charts.

Person: John Whitley
Date: August 1, 2014
Location: Georgia coast
Status: Found alive
Object: Spiral notebook

- Emily Henderson found a spiral notebook embedded in mud in a Georgia tidal marsh.
- The notebook was last seen 212 miles away, 23 days earlier, in the Florida Straits.
- Loose paper in open saltwater typically becomes pulp in 72 hours.
- John Whitley was found 30 yards from the notebook, conscious, after 23 days in the water.
- The official search for Whitley was conducted 200 miles in the wrong direction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1232falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-epirb-worked-they-looked-in-the-wrong-ocean--73079587
Imagine surviving two brutal storms at sea, activating your emergency beacon, and then learning rescuers were searching hundreds of miles away in the wrong ocean. This is the harrowing true story of a competent solo sailor, a 31-foot sailboat, and a perfectly working rescue system that sent help to the wrong place. How could a life-saving device lead searchers astray?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible survival tale of a 53-year-old woman whose routine sailing trip turned into a desperate fight for life after her boat was dismasted. We explore the technical glitch that caused a critical misdirection in her rescue, and the improbable series of events that ultimately led to her discovery.

Person: Marie Mason
Date: June 8-15, 2019
Vessel: Doris Ann (31-foot sloop)
Location: Marroway Key, Palmetto Crossing, Florida
Equipment: Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

- Marie Mason had been sailing alone for eleven years on her 31-foot sloop, the Doris Ann.
- She departed Palmetto Crossing Marina on June 8, 2019, for Cordero Bay, a 60-mile trip.
- Her EPIRB, tested according to manufacturer schedule, transmitted correctly but had a firmware error.
- The error redirected her distress signal registration to a different vessel, the Warbler, registered 400 miles away in Beaufort, South Carolina.
- After two storms, Marie Mason cut the mast free with a hacksaw and bolt cutters, then activated her beacon.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079587Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:27 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe EPIRB Worked. They Looked in the Wrong Ocean Imagine surviving two brutal storms at sea, activating your emergency beacon, and then learning rescuers were searching hundreds of miles away in the wrong ocean. This is the harrowing true story of...
Imagine surviving two brutal storms at sea, activating your emergency beacon, and then learning rescuers were searching hundreds of miles away in the wrong ocean. This is the harrowing true story of a competent solo sailor, a 31-foot sailboat, and a perfectly working rescue system that sent help to the wrong place. How could a life-saving device lead searchers astray?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible survival tale of a 53-year-old woman whose routine sailing trip turned into a desperate fight for life after her boat was dismasted. We explore the technical glitch that caused a critical misdirection in her rescue, and the improbable series of events that ultimately led to her discovery.

Person: Marie Mason
Date: June 8-15, 2019
Vessel: Doris Ann (31-foot sloop)
Location: Marroway Key, Palmetto Crossing, Florida
Equipment: Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

- Marie Mason had been sailing alone for eleven years on her 31-foot sloop, the Doris Ann.
- She departed Palmetto Crossing Marina on June 8, 2019, for Cordero Bay, a 60-mile trip.
- Her EPIRB, tested according to manufacturer schedule, transmitted correctly but had a firmware error.
- The error redirected her distress signal registration to a different vessel, the Warbler, registered 400 miles away in Beaufort, South Carolina.
- After two storms, Marie Mason cut the mast free with a hacksaw and bolt cutters, then activated her beacon.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1189falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-birthday-cake-that-sailed-alone--73079585
Imagine a birthday cake, perfectly intact with five candles, floating ashore after a ferry disaster. How did this symbol of celebration survive a shipwreck that claimed lives, and what secrets did its improbable journey reveal about the tragedy?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Arden Crossing ferry, which capsized in 22 seconds, and the unexpected role a child's birthday cake played in the subsequent investigation. We explore the chain of events, from a seemingly routine favor to critical maintenance oversights, that led to the disaster.

Event: Arden Crossing ferry capsize
Date: May 8
Location: Between Pelham and Dunmore Island
Vessel: Arden Crossing
Passengers: 26

- The Arden Crossing rolled onto its side in 22 seconds at 9:37 PM.
- A four-year-old girl, wearing a life jacket, was among the 26 passengers who went into the water and survived.
- A birthday cake traveled four miles through Altamaha Sound in 14 hours, arriving intact on Braden Flats.
- An entry in the vessel's maintenance log from April 27 noted a fault in the automatic float switch on the bilge pump.
- Approximately 400 gallons of water, equivalent to the weight of four adult men, had accumulated in the hull, unregistered by instruments.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079585Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:23 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Birthday Cake That Sailed Alone Imagine a birthday cake, perfectly intact with five candles, floating ashore after a ferry disaster. How did this symbol of celebration survive a shipwreck that claimed lives, and what secrets did its improbable...
Imagine a birthday cake, perfectly intact with five candles, floating ashore after a ferry disaster. How did this symbol of celebration survive a shipwreck that claimed lives, and what secrets did its improbable journey reveal about the tragedy?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Arden Crossing ferry, which capsized in 22 seconds, and the unexpected role a child's birthday cake played in the subsequent investigation. We explore the chain of events, from a seemingly routine favor to critical maintenance oversights, that led to the disaster.

Event: Arden Crossing ferry capsize
Date: May 8
Location: Between Pelham and Dunmore Island
Vessel: Arden Crossing
Passengers: 26

- The Arden Crossing rolled onto its side in 22 seconds at 9:37 PM.
- A four-year-old girl, wearing a life jacket, was among the 26 passengers who went into the water and survived.
- A birthday cake traveled four miles through Altamaha Sound in 14 hours, arriving intact on Braden Flats.
- An entry in the vessel's maintenance log from April 27 noted a fault in the automatic float switch on the bilge pump.
- Approximately 400 gallons of water, equivalent to the weight of four adult men, had accumulated in the hull, unregistered by instruments.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1173falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nine-days-adrift-the-logbook-that-shouldn-t-exist--73079583
Imagine surviving nine days alone on the Gulf of Mexico, only for a single database entry to nearly erase your existence. How did a waterlogged logbook, found tangled in mangrove roots, become the sole witness to a harrowing tale of survival against impossible odds?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible journey of Laura Jones, a marine surveyor who faced a burning trawler, a fouled engine, and a rescue system searching 200 miles in the wrong direction. Discover the critical chain of errors and accidents that kept her adrift and the methodical mind that documented every moment.

Person: Laura Jones
Date: April 6, 2019
Location: Gulf of Mexico
Status: Adrift
Boat: Perseverance (34-foot ketch)

- Laura Jones, 29, was adrift for nine days after her trawler, the Wendell M., caught fire four miles west of Clearwater.
- She evacuated the burning trawler in under four minutes, grabbing her logbook, handheld VHF radio, and dry bag.
- Her EPIRB, registered and current, failed to provide her correct location due to a 200-mile database error.
- Laura had only two liters of water and approximately 1.5 gallons of diesel after her engine failed.
- Her grandmother, Nell, noticed her absence after Laura missed their regular Wednesday visit on April 10.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079583Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:20 +0000Creator at ObomediaNine Days Adrift: The Logbook That Shouldn't Exist Imagine surviving nine days alone on the Gulf of Mexico, only for a single database entry to nearly erase your existence. How did a waterlogged logbook, found tangled in mangrove roots, become the...
Imagine surviving nine days alone on the Gulf of Mexico, only for a single database entry to nearly erase your existence. How did a waterlogged logbook, found tangled in mangrove roots, become the sole witness to a harrowing tale of survival against impossible odds?

In this episode, we uncover the incredible journey of Laura Jones, a marine surveyor who faced a burning trawler, a fouled engine, and a rescue system searching 200 miles in the wrong direction. Discover the critical chain of errors and accidents that kept her adrift and the methodical mind that documented every moment.

Person: Laura Jones
Date: April 6, 2019
Location: Gulf of Mexico
Status: Adrift
Boat: Perseverance (34-foot ketch)

- Laura Jones, 29, was adrift for nine days after her trawler, the Wendell M., caught fire four miles west of Clearwater.
- She evacuated the burning trawler in under four minutes, grabbing her logbook, handheld VHF radio, and dry bag.
- Her EPIRB, registered and current, failed to provide her correct location due to a 200-mile database error.
- Laura had only two liters of water and approximately 1.5 gallons of diesel after her engine failed.
- Her grandmother, Nell, noticed her absence after Laura missed their regular Wednesday visit on April 10.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1303falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-dry-chart-nine-days-lost-at-sea--73079582
Imagine finding a perfectly dry tide chart on a roadside, knowing the boat it belonged to had been missing for nine days in waters 140 nautical miles away. This impossible discovery was the first clue that a desperate search for three lost souls was looking in the entirely wrong direction. How could a dry chart lead rescuers to two survivors against all odds?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Ardent Grace, her experienced captain Philip Carver, young crewman Marcus Webb, and biology teacher Denise Bishop, who vanished at sea. We explore the critical decisions, overlooked warnings, and a crucial change in course that led to a search effort miles off target, leaving two people fighting for survival in 34-degree water.

Person: Kevin Petersen
Date: March 14, 2019
Vessel: Ardent Grace
Location: Harwick
Status: Two survivors

- A laminated tide chart was found dry in gravel beside Route Nine, 140 nautical miles from where its boat was lost.
- The Coast Guard spent five days searching the ocean based on an incorrect position.
- Captain Philip Carver, 58, had worked out of Harwick for 30 years and checked weather multiple times.
- Marcus Webb, 26, had flagged a worsening shaft seal leak twice before it failed completely.
- Denise Bishop, 54, a biology teacher, volunteered as crew and found "therapy" in fishing trips.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079582Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:17 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Dry Chart: Nine Days Lost at Sea Imagine finding a perfectly dry tide chart on a roadside, knowing the boat it belonged to had been missing for nine days in waters 140 nautical miles away. This impossible discovery was the first clue that a...
Imagine finding a perfectly dry tide chart on a roadside, knowing the boat it belonged to had been missing for nine days in waters 140 nautical miles away. This impossible discovery was the first clue that a desperate search for three lost souls was looking in the entirely wrong direction. How could a dry chart lead rescuers to two survivors against all odds?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Ardent Grace, her experienced captain Philip Carver, young crewman Marcus Webb, and biology teacher Denise Bishop, who vanished at sea. We explore the critical decisions, overlooked warnings, and a crucial change in course that led to a search effort miles off target, leaving two people fighting for survival in 34-degree water.

Person: Kevin Petersen
Date: March 14, 2019
Vessel: Ardent Grace
Location: Harwick
Status: Two survivors

- A laminated tide chart was found dry in gravel beside Route Nine, 140 nautical miles from where its boat was lost.
- The Coast Guard spent five days searching the ocean based on an incorrect position.
- Captain Philip Carver, 58, had worked out of Harwick for 30 years and checked weather multiple times.
- Marcus Webb, 26, had flagged a worsening shaft seal leak twice before it failed completely.
- Denise Bishop, 54, a biology teacher, volunteered as crew and found "therapy" in fishing trips.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1125falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-watch-that-kept-time-underwater-for-109-hours--73079580
Imagine being adrift in the Atlantic for four days, battered by February swells, only to find your watch still ticking with perfect accuracy. A Seiko on a young woman's wrist kept time for 109 hours straight through a capsized boat ordeal, becoming the sole stable point in a world turned upside down. How could a simple timepiece endure such an extreme test?

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing story of the Celia Rue, a 32-foot sloop that capsized in less than four seconds off the Georgia coast in 2011. We explore the events leading up to the disaster, the survival of two individuals, and the unexpected role a waterproof watch played in holding their story together.

Event: Celia Rue capsizing
Date: February 4, 2011
Location: Off the Georgia coast
Vessel: Celia Rue, 32-foot sloop
Survivor: Jean Farrell

- The Celia Rue went down in under four seconds.
- Jean Farrell's Seiko watch kept perfect time for 109 hours while submerged.
- Jean Farrell was 22 years old and worked at a maritime insurance firm.
- Marcus Webb, 51, owned the Celia Rue for six years.
- Derek Voss, 28, worked as a dental technician and had sailed the Celia Rue twice before.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079580Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:15 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Watch That Kept Time Underwater For 109 Hours Imagine being adrift in the Atlantic for four days, battered by February swells, only to find your watch still ticking with perfect accuracy. A Seiko on a young woman's wrist kept time for 109 hours...
Imagine being adrift in the Atlantic for four days, battered by February swells, only to find your watch still ticking with perfect accuracy. A Seiko on a young woman's wrist kept time for 109 hours straight through a capsized boat ordeal, becoming the sole stable point in a world turned upside down. How could a simple timepiece endure such an extreme test?

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing story of the Celia Rue, a 32-foot sloop that capsized in less than four seconds off the Georgia coast in 2011. We explore the events leading up to the disaster, the survival of two individuals, and the unexpected role a waterproof watch played in holding their story together.

Event: Celia Rue capsizing
Date: February 4, 2011
Location: Off the Georgia coast
Vessel: Celia Rue, 32-foot sloop
Survivor: Jean Farrell

- The Celia Rue went down in under four seconds.
- Jean Farrell's Seiko watch kept perfect time for 109 hours while submerged.
- Jean Farrell was 22 years old and worked at a maritime insurance firm.
- Marcus Webb, 51, owned the Celia Rue for six years.
- Derek Voss, 28, worked as a dental technician and had sailed the Celia Rue twice before.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1057falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/six-days-adrift-the-logbook-s-impossible-secret--73079579
A distress beacon activated off the Georgia coast, signaling a woman lost at sea with a disabled vessel and no GPS. What made this search different for a twenty-two-year veteran search-and-rescue coordinator was that every correct assumption about her location was also wrong. How did a meticulous, experienced sailor vanish from a predictable search grid?

In this episode, we uncover the documented account of Michelle Thorpe's six days alone in the Atlantic after her mast, GPS, and primary radio were lost. We explore the critical details of her preparation, the unexpected event that changed everything, and the baffling logbook entry that held the key to her fate.

Person: Michelle Thorpe
Age: 41
Vessel: Ardent, a 42-foot sloop
Event: Distress beacon activated
Date: January 4th, 11:58 AM

- Michelle Thorpe was an ABYC-certified marine inspector with 27 years of sailing experience.
- She departed Wassaw Sound on January 2nd, provisioned for five days with 40 liters of water and backup equipment.
- On January 4th, a breaking sea hit her vessel, taking down the mast and critical navigation equipment.
- The distress beacon activated at 11:58 AM, sending the Coast Guard into action.
- A logbook, sealed and dry, washed ashore ten days later with coordinates and a cryptic reference to a Tuesday.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079579Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:12 +0000Creator at ObomediaSix Days Adrift: The Logbook's Impossible Secret A distress beacon activated off the Georgia coast, signaling a woman lost at sea with a disabled vessel and no GPS. What made this search different for a twenty-two-year veteran search-and-rescue...
A distress beacon activated off the Georgia coast, signaling a woman lost at sea with a disabled vessel and no GPS. What made this search different for a twenty-two-year veteran search-and-rescue coordinator was that every correct assumption about her location was also wrong. How did a meticulous, experienced sailor vanish from a predictable search grid?

In this episode, we uncover the documented account of Michelle Thorpe's six days alone in the Atlantic after her mast, GPS, and primary radio were lost. We explore the critical details of her preparation, the unexpected event that changed everything, and the baffling logbook entry that held the key to her fate.

Person: Michelle Thorpe
Age: 41
Vessel: Ardent, a 42-foot sloop
Event: Distress beacon activated
Date: January 4th, 11:58 AM

- Michelle Thorpe was an ABYC-certified marine inspector with 27 years of sailing experience.
- She departed Wassaw Sound on January 2nd, provisioned for five days with 40 liters of water and backup equipment.
- On January 4th, a breaking sea hit her vessel, taking down the mast and critical navigation equipment.
- The distress beacon activated at 11:58 AM, sending the Coast Guard into action.
- A logbook, sealed and dry, washed ashore ten days later with coordinates and a cryptic reference to a Tuesday.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1263falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-nine-of-spades-a-message-from-the-drowned-zone--73079576
Imagine a playing card, the nine of spades, found completely dry inside a sealed bag, sixty miles from a missing boat's last known position. This mysterious card carried a crucial navigational fact that eluded a sixteen-day Coast Guard search, leading them to a zone every drift model marked as empty. What secret did this single card reveal about the fate of the Callie Rose?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling details of the Callie Rose disappearance, a routine delivery that veered into disaster due to an uncharted current. Learn how a seasoned captain, a reliable crewman, and an aspiring officer faced a sudden crisis in the Gulf, and the desperate measures taken when their emergency beacon failed.

Case: The Callie Rose disappearance
Vessel: Forty-one-foot ketch
Crew: Monica Holt (Captain), Dennis Farr, Amber Solis
Date of departure: December fourth
Location: Isla Perdida to Cayo Blanco

- Linda Stevens found the foam and playing card on December nineteenth at Harrowfield Marina.
- The Coast Guard search for the Callie Rose had been ongoing for sixteen days when the card was found.
- The Callie Rose departed Isla Perdida at 7:45 AM, with water temperature at 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dennis Farr went overboard at 10:15 AM, and Monica Holt had him back aboard in under four minutes.
- The Callie Rose sank at 11:22 AM, leaving three people on a life raft twelve nautical miles from shore.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079576Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:09 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Nine of Spades: A Message from the Drowned Zone Imagine a playing card, the nine of spades, found completely dry inside a sealed bag, sixty miles from a missing boat's last known position. This mysterious card carried a crucial navigational...
Imagine a playing card, the nine of spades, found completely dry inside a sealed bag, sixty miles from a missing boat's last known position. This mysterious card carried a crucial navigational fact that eluded a sixteen-day Coast Guard search, leading them to a zone every drift model marked as empty. What secret did this single card reveal about the fate of the Callie Rose?

In this episode, we uncover the chilling details of the Callie Rose disappearance, a routine delivery that veered into disaster due to an uncharted current. Learn how a seasoned captain, a reliable crewman, and an aspiring officer faced a sudden crisis in the Gulf, and the desperate measures taken when their emergency beacon failed.

Case: The Callie Rose disappearance
Vessel: Forty-one-foot ketch
Crew: Monica Holt (Captain), Dennis Farr, Amber Solis
Date of departure: December fourth
Location: Isla Perdida to Cayo Blanco

- Linda Stevens found the foam and playing card on December nineteenth at Harrowfield Marina.
- The Coast Guard search for the Callie Rose had been ongoing for sixteen days when the card was found.
- The Callie Rose departed Isla Perdida at 7:45 AM, with water temperature at 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dennis Farr went overboard at 10:15 AM, and Monica Holt had him back aboard in under four minutes.
- The Callie Rose sank at 11:22 AM, leaving three people on a life raft twelve nautical miles from shore.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1273falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-sealed-bottle-s-secret-she-never-explained-why--73079522
Imagine finding a sealed bottle from the U.S. Coast Guard, washed ashore 60 miles from where three people fought for survival, one of whom didn't make it. This mysterious bottle, found four days after survivors were rescued, held the only message from a boat that vanished. What secret did its contents reveal about a decision made in the final minutes aboard?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Calliope Gray, a 32-foot sloop that departed Beaufort Inlet for Jacksonville, only to encounter an early cold front. We delve into the lives of the three individuals aboard and the series of events that led to a dismasted boat, a tragic death, and a beacon that sent rescuers 220 miles in the wrong direction.

Event: Calliope Gray disappearance
Date: November 13-19, 2017
Vessel: 32-foot sloop
Location: Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Cape Lookout
Status: One fatality, two survivors

- Paul Slater found an orange plastic bottle with U.S. Coast Guard markings on November 19, 2017.
- The Calliope Gray left Beaufort Inlet on November 13, 2017, for a delivery run to Jacksonville.
- The cold front arrived 14 hours early, hitting 40 nautical miles southeast of Cape Lookout at 2 AM on November 15.
- Connie Peterson, 25, cut the rig free with a hacksaw and bolt cutter in 31 minutes after the mast came down.
- The EPIRB, activated at 4:40 AM, transmitted correctly but sent rescuers 220 miles in the wrong direction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079522Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:06 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Sealed Bottle's Secret: She Never Explained Why Imagine finding a sealed bottle from the U.S. Coast Guard, washed ashore 60 miles from where three people fought for survival, one of whom didn't make it. This mysterious bottle, found four days...
Imagine finding a sealed bottle from the U.S. Coast Guard, washed ashore 60 miles from where three people fought for survival, one of whom didn't make it. This mysterious bottle, found four days after survivors were rescued, held the only message from a boat that vanished. What secret did its contents reveal about a decision made in the final minutes aboard?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Calliope Gray, a 32-foot sloop that departed Beaufort Inlet for Jacksonville, only to encounter an early cold front. We delve into the lives of the three individuals aboard and the series of events that led to a dismasted boat, a tragic death, and a beacon that sent rescuers 220 miles in the wrong direction.

Event: Calliope Gray disappearance
Date: November 13-19, 2017
Vessel: 32-foot sloop
Location: Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Cape Lookout
Status: One fatality, two survivors

- Paul Slater found an orange plastic bottle with U.S. Coast Guard markings on November 19, 2017.
- The Calliope Gray left Beaufort Inlet on November 13, 2017, for a delivery run to Jacksonville.
- The cold front arrived 14 hours early, hitting 40 nautical miles southeast of Cape Lookout at 2 AM on November 15.
- Connie Peterson, 25, cut the rig free with a hacksaw and bolt cutter in 31 minutes after the mast came down.
- The EPIRB, activated at 4:40 AM, transmitted correctly but sent rescuers 220 miles in the wrong direction.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1176falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-recorder-41-hours-adrift-300-miles-lost--73079521
A small yellow dictaphone, crusted with salt and with a bent carabiner clip, was found on a hiking trail on Hatteras Island, 300 miles from where it should have been. It contained 41 hours of audio from a marine surveyor lost at sea, but how did it end up so far from its owner?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of Lori Hamilton, a meticulous marine surveyor who embarked on a solo voyage from North Carolina to the Bahamas. Her journey took an unexpected turn when her catamaran, the Callie Mae, suffered a catastrophic structural failure, leaving her adrift and recording her ordeal.

Person: Lori Hamilton
Vessel: Callie Mae
Date of Departure: October 4, 2019
Location of Departure: Beaufort Marina, North Carolina
Duration of Recording: 41 hours, 17 minutes

- Lori Hamilton, 48, was a marine surveyor for nearly two decades along the Carolina coast.
- She filed a float plan with Sandra Okafor at Beaufort Marina, listing Robert Fitch as her emergency contact.
- The emergency contact number on file was disconnected, a detail that went unnoticed for four days.
- The catamaran's crossbeam failed in under four seconds on the night of October 8, 2019, bringing down the mast.
- The EPIRB activated at 11:47 PM, but its antenna was damaged, sending corrupted coordinates 60 miles off Lori's actual location.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73079521Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:07:00 +0000Creator at ObomediaThe Recorder: 41 Hours Adrift, 300 Miles Lost A small yellow dictaphone, crusted with salt and with a bent carabiner clip, was found on a hiking trail on Hatteras Island, 300 miles from where it should have been. It contained 41 hours of audio from...
A small yellow dictaphone, crusted with salt and with a bent carabiner clip, was found on a hiking trail on Hatteras Island, 300 miles from where it should have been. It contained 41 hours of audio from a marine surveyor lost at sea, but how did it end up so far from its owner?

In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of Lori Hamilton, a meticulous marine surveyor who embarked on a solo voyage from North Carolina to the Bahamas. Her journey took an unexpected turn when her catamaran, the Callie Mae, suffered a catastrophic structural failure, leaving her adrift and recording her ordeal.

Person: Lori Hamilton
Vessel: Callie Mae
Date of Departure: October 4, 2019
Location of Departure: Beaufort Marina, North Carolina
Duration of Recording: 41 hours, 17 minutes

- Lori Hamilton, 48, was a marine surveyor for nearly two decades along the Carolina coast.
- She filed a float plan with Sandra Okafor at Beaufort Marina, listing Robert Fitch as her emergency contact.
- The emergency contact number on file was disconnected, a detail that went unnoticed for four days.
- The catamaran's crossbeam failed in under four seconds on the night of October 8, 2019, bringing down the mast.
- The EPIRB activated at 11:47 PM, but its antenna was damaged, sending corrupted coordinates 60 miles off Lori's actual location.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1522falsefull