Deck Tales: Secrets From The Sea. Behind the Scenes Stories from Cruise Ships and Crew Members from Maritime and Sea Life

Ep53:Jenn SellittiJenn is a criminal defence attorney and deep-sea shipwreck explorer and leader of Atlantic Wreck Salvage. She shares how her passion for history—not the ocean—pulled her into the world of deep-sea exploration, where she helps uncover and preserve stories hidden within historic shipwrecks.Following the recent loss of her partner and founder of the organisation, Joe Mazraani, Jenn has stepped into a leadership role, navigating both the emotional weight and operational challenges of continuing their shared mission. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at life aboard their salvage vessel - DV Tenacious, the technology used to locate wrecks, and the realities of artifact recovery.The conversation dives into the ethics of salvage vs. preservation, the limitations of museums, and why recovering artifacts from the North Atlantic is often a race against time. Jenn also opens up about the dangers of deep diving, the psychology of explorers, and why, despite not loving the water itself, she’s deeply committed to the stories it holds.Key TakeawaysShipwrecks are human stories – Every wreck represents lives, histories, and untold narratives—not just debris on the ocean floor.Passion over profit – Most deep-sea salvage (in this case) is driven by curiosity and historical preservation, not money.Leadership through adversity – Jen’s transition into leadership came suddenly after personal loss, highlighting resilience and purpose.Technology meets patience – Tools like side-scan sonar require long, methodical “mowing the lawn” searches with no guarantees.Artifacts are at risk – Natural forces and human activity can destroy wrecks, making recovery time-sensitive.Museums aren’t always the solution – Many won’t accept salvaged artifacts, creating a gap between discovery and public access.Diving is both technical and mental – For some, it’s meditation; for others (like Jen), it’s a means to an end.Risk is ever-present – Deep dives involve complex systems like rebreathers and require rigorous safety protocols.https://dvtenacious.com/🎬 Chapters00:00 – Intro: Lawyer Turned Deep-Sea Shipwreck Explorer03:45 – The Real Reason She Got Into Shipwrecks (It’s Not the Ocean)08:20 – Discovering Lost Ships Through History & DNA Research13:10 – The Story Behind Atlantic Wreck Salvage17:45 – Losing Joe & Stepping Into Leadership23:30 – Carrying On a Deep-Sea Explorer’s Legacy28:10 – Inside a 20-Person Shipwreck Exploration Team32:40 – How They Actually Find Shipwrecks (Sonar Explained)38:15 – “Mowing the Ocean” for 16 Hours Straight43:50 – What They’ve Found Underwater (Artifacts & Surprises)49:30 – Why Museums REFUSE Shipwreck Artifacts55:10 – Should We Leave Shipwrecks Alone or Recover Them?01:00:40 – Life on a Deep-Sea Expedition (Day in the Life)01:07:20 – Diving the Andrea Doria: The ‘Disneyland’ of Wrecks01:14:10 – The Dangers of Deep Diving (Gear, Risk & Survival)01:21:30 – Why She’s Still Afraid of the Ocean (But Keeps Diving)Hopefully you're enjoying DeckTales so far. If so, please do smash that like button, share your favourite episodes with your friends, and subscribe of course!To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/decktalesofficialInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@decktalesFor all links you can head to the official website:https://www.decktales.co.ukIf you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:https://ko-fi.com/decktalesAnd if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244Special Thanks To:Tom Hunt @teghuntDan Smith https://www.elephantmedia.coGet Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep52: Rod ScherIn this episode of Deck Tales, we are joined by author and historian Rod Scher to explore why shipwreck stories still grip us centuries later, to uncover what really causes them to go down—and why it’s almost never just “bad luck.”From the deadly wreck of the SS Valencia to the near-total loss of the Pacific, Rod breaks down how small decisions, human pride, and overlooked warning signs can spiral into full-blown disaster.The conversation also dives into the human side of these tragedies—stories of survival, loss, and split-second decisions that changed everything. Along the way, Rod shares how he turns historical wrecks into gripping narratives, why context matters just as much as the event itself, and how one sailor managed to circle the globe with no instruments at all.This episode is a deep dive into the thin line between control and chaos at sea—and why, no matter how prepared you are, the ocean always has the final say.Key TakeawaysMost maritime disasters aren’t “bad luck” — they’re the result of compounding human decisionsTrusting (or mistrusting) instruments has made or broken countless voyagesShipwrecks reveal as much about their era’s technology and culture as they do about the seaPreparation matters, but humility matters moreThe ocean isn’t evil — it’s just indifferentChapters:00:00 – This Should NEVER Have Happened at Sea…01:30 – The Guy Who Studies Shipwrecks for a Living04:30 – He Turned Disaster Into a Career07:00 – Why Shipwrecks Always Follow the Same Pattern10:30 – 2,000 Ships Lost Here… Why?!14:00 – Why “Overnight Success” Is a Lie18:30 – He Sailed Around the World With NOTHING22:30 – No GPS. No Compass. No Chance?27:00 – How Do You Navigate… With Zero Instruments?32:00 – He Recruited Crew With THIS Crazy Offer38:00 – The Reality of Life at Sea (It’s Brutal)45:00 – The Shipwreck That Should Have Been Avoided55:00 – One Decision Killed Everyone On Board01:05:00 – The Moment He Ignored the Warning Signs01:18:00 – The Ocean Doesn’t Care If You’re Ready01:25:00 – The Biggest Lesson From Every ShipwreckHopefully you're enjoying DeckTales so far. If so, please do smash that like button, share your favourite episodes with your friends, and subscribe of course!To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/decktalesofficialInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@decktalesFor all links you can head to the official website:https://www.decktales.co.ukIf you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:https://ko-fi.com/decktalesAnd if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244Special Thanks To:Tom Hunt @teghuntDan Smith https://www.elephantmedia.coGet Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this anonymous interview, “Sarah,” a cruise ship activity host, reveals the unfiltered reality of life working at sea. From exhausting 7-day workweeks and ship politics to shocking behind-the-scenes incidents, she exposes what passengers never see. The conversation dives into crew hierarchy, mental and physical burnout, safety scares, and uncomfortable truths about onboard culture — all while balancing the unique opportunity to travel the world.🔑 Key TakeawaysNo days off reality: Crew can work 7 days a week for months, often 10–14 hours daily. Sarah TranscriptHierarchy & inequality: Treatment varies based on role, nationality, and even accent. Sarah TranscriptEmotional & physical burnout: Constant “high energy” expectations with little recovery time. Sarah TranscriptSerious incidents happen: Includes medical emergencies, rescues at sea, and onboard conflicts. Sarah TranscriptBlurred professional boundaries: Living and working together creates uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe situations. Sarah TranscriptHidden crew culture: Includes unofficial economies, internal politics, and social dynamics passengers never see. Sarah TranscriptDespite it all… Travel opportunities and unique experiences keep many crew coming back.Chapters 00:00 – The Truth About Cruise LifeHook + anonymous intro, setting expectations01:45 – Why She Went to SeaFrom West End to cruise ships04:05 – 7 Days a Week, No BreaksThe brutal reality of crew schedules08:45 – Ship Hierarchy & FavouritismInequality, accents, and who gets ahead13:20 – What the Job REALLY InvolvesHosting, security, chaos & constant energy20:10 – Scariest Moments at SeaMedical emergency & passenger fatality25:30 – Life Below DeckLiving conditions, crew culture & burnout31:10 – Embarrassing & Awkward MomentsBeing sick, public call-outs & “bananas”36:50 – The Hidden Economy OnboardSex work, power dynamics & side hustles44:10 – Harassment & Feeling UnsafeBlurred boundaries, complaints & investigations57:30 – The Dark Side of GuestsComplaints, fights, drugs & final thoughts#cruiselife #shiplife #travel #entertainer Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep50: Ted LundIn this episode of Deck Tales, Captain Sammy Catling sits down with veteran captain, journalist, and whale-watching guide Ted Lund, broadcasting from Juneau, Alaska at the height of whale season. What begins as a conversation about humpback whales quickly expands into a wide-ranging, eye-opening discussion on marine conservation, cruise ship impacts, whale behavior, and life lived almost entirely at sea.Ted shares firsthand stories—from whales struck by ships and learned orca “revenge” behavior, to bubble-net feeding spectacles, cruise ship pollution, and near-death experiences offshore. Blending hard science, lived experience, and dark humour, this episode challenges how we think about tourism, progress, and our responsibility to the ocean.🌊 Key TakeawaysWhales learn and teach behavior: Orca attacks on boats may be a learned, generational response to vessel strikes killing pod matriarchs.Cruise ships have hidden costs: From whale fatalities to coral damage, sediment plumes, invasive species, and infrastructure strain, the impacts go far beyond tourism dollars.Whale watching is booming—maybe too much: Alaska’s whale populations have rebounded, but overcrowding is pushing regulators toward caps and permits.The ocean remembers everything: Plastics, pharmaceuticals, and wastewater don’t disappear—they bioaccumulate and disrupt entire ecosystems.Experience matters: Ted’s unique mix of journalism and seamanship offers a rare, unfiltered look at how environmental decisions play out on the water.#whalewatching #flyfishing #whaling #orca Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep49:Orel FedermanIn this episode of Deck Tales, we sit down with the founder of Nautical Miles Club, a former seafarer turned entrepreneur on a mission to make life at sea more humane, connected, and appreciated. Sparked by the harsh realities seafarers faced during COVID—being stranded on ships, cut off from families, and largely invisible—the conversation explores how Nautical Miles evolved from a simple global discount app into a holistic platform connecting seafarers, families, shipping companies, ports, and brands.Beyond tech, the episode dives into life at sea, security, piracy, loyalty, and why convenience and recognition matter more than money for retention in maritime careers. It’s a candid, wide-ranging discussion about dignity, community, and finally putting seafarers front and center.⚓ Key TakeawaysSeafarers are invisible—but essential: COVID exposed how overlooked maritime workers are, despite keeping global trade moving.Nautical Miles Club goes beyond discounts: It connects employers, ports, families, and brands to seafarers in one ecosystem.Convenience beats cash: Easy transport, trusted venues, and time-saving tools matter more than small savings.Retention is about experience, not salary: Seeing the world is a key reason people go to sea—remove that, and people leave.Trust is built by minimizing data: The platform intentionally avoids collecting personal data unless absolutely necessary.Security at sea is outdated: Maritime security standards haven’t kept pace with modern threats or realities.Life at sea reshapes perspective: It strips away prejudice and ego, replacing them with teamwork and shared survival.https://www.nm-club.com/#navy #shipinvestor #security #discountsTo see clips of all our guests you can follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decktalesofficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@decktalesFor all links you can head to the official website: https://www.decktales.co.ukIf you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at: https://ko-fi.com/decktalesAnd if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.