<p>Ep44: Anthony Cummins AKA Captain Tonz</p><br><p>Today I'm in talks with Captain Tonz — a real-life pirate with over 65 years at sea — to dismantle everything we think we know about piracy. From surviving rogue waves as a teenager to smuggling camels, outwitting the Royal Navy, and acting as a guardian of the ocean, Captain Tonz shares a life shaped by instinct, equality, and a deep spiritual connection to the sea. This isn’t a tale of Hollywood piracy — it’s a raw, philosophical journey through freedom, responsibility, and what it truly means to “boldly go.”</p><br><p>Key Takeaways</p><br><p>Piracy isn’t what pop culture sells us: historically, pirates were explorers, innovators, and early champions of equality.</p><p>Connection beats control: Captain Tonz credits survival and success at sea to listening, not conquering.</p><p>The pirate code was radically progressive: equality, shared power, and respect were core principles.</p><p>Modern threats to the ocean are invisible: pollution, automation, and disconnection pose greater danger than storms.</p><p>Anyone can be a pirate — if they can connect, adapt, and take responsibility.</p><br><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00:00 — A Real Pirate Joins the Podcast</p><p>Meet Captain Tonz and the myth vs reality of piracy</p><br><p>00:04:42 — “Everything You Know About Pirates Is Wrong”</p><p>The true meaning of piracy and where the word comes from</p><br><p>00:09:05 — Running Away to Sea at 14</p><p>From troubled childhood to life aboard ships</p><br><p>00:14:18 — The Wave That Changed Everything</p><p>Surviving a rogue wave and finding purpose</p><br><p>00:19:52 — Becoming a Pirate by Accident</p><p>A master pirate, the Baltic Sea, and a life-altering choice</p><br><p>00:24:55 — Smuggling, Survival &amp; Sea Instincts</p><p>Why piracy is about planning, not chaos</p><br><p>00:30:08 — Camels, Cargo &amp; Breaking Records</p><p>The strangest things ever smuggled at sea</p><br><p>00:35:12 — Escaping the Royal Navy</p><p>Chains, hacksaw blades, and a Gibraltar breakout</p><br><p>00:40:18 — Pirate Code: Radical Equality at Sea</p><p>Why pirates were centuries ahead of their time</p><br><p>00:45:55 — Prison Cells &amp; Close Calls</p><p>From East Germany to unexpected hospitality</p><br><p>00:51:02 — UFOs, Legends &amp; Sea Mysteries</p><p>What sailors see that landlubbers never will</p><br><p>00:56:10 — Are Pirates the Guardians of the Ocean?</p><p>Pollution, responsibility, and protecting the sea</p><br><p>01:01:48 — Somali Pirates &amp; The Truth Behind the Headlines</p><p>What really created modern piracy</p><br><p>01:08:32 — Stopping Environmental Crimes at Sea</p><p>When pirates enforced justice no one else would</p><br><p>01:14:55 — Who Can Be a Pirate?</p><p>Mental health, connection, and fearlessness</p><br><p>01:21:30 — Johnny Depp, Stephen Fry &amp; Dream Crews</p><p>Casting pirates and Hollywood truth</p><br><p>01:28:45 — Pirates, AI &amp; the Future of Navigation</p><p>Why modern sailors are losing vital skills</p><br><p>01:34:20 — Final Message from the Sea</p><p>A warning, a responsibility, and a call to act</p><br><p>https://captaintonz.com</p><br><p>https://www.originalpiratematerial.co.uk/</p><br><p>#piratelegend #seadogs #piracy #shipstories </p><br><p>To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on: </p><br><p>Facebook: </p><p>https://www.facebook.com/decktalesofficial</p><p>Instagram: </p><p>https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.</p><p>TikTok: </p><p>https://www.tiktok.com/@decktales</p><br><p>For all links you can head to the official website: </p><p>https://www.decktales.co.uk</p><br><p>If you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at: </p><p>https://ko-fi.com/decktales</p><p>And 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/1912964244</p><p>Get Your Copy Of '<em>Seems Like Smooth Sailing</em>' <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B4A0ZKZGAJAB&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KA4Fxto6T4xMcjxVOEKjPg.Gg-UfXKT72YMo7GHbMHkccAtlErN4hPBHdl1dtrF9gs&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=seems+like+smooth+sailing&amp;qid=1761655555&amp;sprefix=seems+like+smooth+sailing%2Caps%2C165&amp;sr=8-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>