DeckTales Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Sam Catling - Sea Life Story Teller
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Podcast Overview
<p>DeckTales plunges you into the unbelievable reality of crew life! Join former cruise ship entertainer Sammy Catling as he collects the wildest, most hilarious sea stories from those who work on cruise ships, naval vessels, ferries and beyond. Ever wonder about the true secrets of ship life? We go beyond the brochures to expose the raw crew life and hidden corners of a maritime career. Hear from every kind of seafarer about the best, and often strangest, parts of cruise life and life at sea. This is the unfiltered, laugh-out-loud truth, but doesn’t shy away from the murkier depths of reality.</p><p>Inspired to start the podcast after the launch of his comedic memoir, Seems Like Smooth Sailing, Sam realised a simple truth: the people who live and breathe this industry have the best stories. The book covered the chaos, but Deck Tales seeks clarity! Subscribe now and prepare to be entertained by tales that truly prove things are rarely smooth sailing.</p><br><p>Ce<a href="https://www.decktales.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DeckTales</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>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/30/2024
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Recent Episodes
June 3, 2026
Engine Room Fire, Death at Sea & Near Misses | Captain Ravi Chaudhry
<p>Ep60: Ravi Chaudhry</p><br><p>Last guest of season 3 is veteran merchant navy captain Ravi Chaudhry, whose 34-year seafaring career spanned the transition from celestial navigation to modern GPS-driven shipping. Ravi reflects on joining the merchant navy as a teenager from Punjab with little understanding of life at sea, before rising through the ranks to command massive OBO (oil-bulk-ore) carriers.</p><p>We delved into the realities of old-school seamanship, navigating before GPS, engine room fires, and handling the weighty responsibility of command. </p><p>Ravi also discusses the human cost of life at sea — loneliness, isolation, mental health struggles, and the impact of modern social media on younger seafarers. He contrasts the camaraderie and social culture of earlier decades with today’s more isolated, technology-driven environment. </p><p><br></p><h2>🔑 Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li><strong>Seafaring is a lifestyle, not just a job</strong> — Ravi emphasizes the emotional and psychological challenges of long periods away from home, isolation, and the unique pressures of maritime life.</li><li><strong>Technology has improved shipping, but overreliance is dangerous</strong> — Modern systems make navigation easier, but Ravi warns that younger officers risk losing core practical seamanship skills.</li><li><strong>Leadership at sea requires calm under pressure</strong> — As master, Ravi learned that crews constantly observe the captain’s behavior, especially during crises.</li><li><strong>Near misses stay with seafarers forever</strong> — Even when disasters are avoided, the “what if” moments linger long after a voyage ends.</li><li><strong>Merchant shipping has changed dramatically</strong> — Ravi witnessed the evolution from manual calculations and celestial navigation to computer-based systems and digital communication.</li><li><strong>Mental health and loneliness are growing concerns onboard</strong> — Constant connectivity and social media comparisons can worsen isolation for modern crews.</li><li><strong>Mentorship matters</strong> — Ravi now uses social media to guide younger seafarers, particularly cadets facing bullying, harassment, or uncertainty about life at sea.</li><li><strong>Old-school camaraderie has faded</strong> — Earlier ship life centered around shared experiences, music, games, and crew bonding, while today many seafarers spend off-hours isolated on devices.</li><li><strong>Safety must outweigh commercial pressure</strong> — Ravi recalls refusing charterers’ demands to push a vessel harder in dangerous weather, prioritizing crew and ship safety over profit.</li><li><strong>Adaptability is essential for survival in the industry</strong> — Ravi credits his longevity at sea to embracing change rather than resisting new technologies.</li></ul><h2><br></h2><h2>🎬Chapters</h2><p>00:00 – Intro</p><p> 03:12 – Joining the Merchant Navy</p><p> 08:41 – Cargo Ship Life</p><p> 14:26 – Before GPS</p><p> 20:18 – Celestial Navigation</p><p> 26:05 – Engine Room Fire</p><p> 33:47 – Death at Sea</p><p> 40:52 – Near Misses</p><p> 47:10 – Extreme Storms</p><p> 54:39 – Captain’s Responsibility</p><p> 1:00:44 – Technology at Sea</p><p> 1:07:15 – Seafarer Mental Health</p><p> 1:13:36 – Old vs Modern Shipping</p><p> 1:20:08 – Safety vs Profit</p><p> 1:26:42 – Advice for Young Seafarers</p><p> 1:31:04 – Final Reflections</p><br><p>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!</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 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B4A0ZKZGAJAB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KA4Fxto6T4xMcjxVOEKjPg.Gg-UfXKT72YMo7GHbMHkccAtlErN4hPBHdl1dtrF9gs&dib_tag=se&keywords=seems+like+smooth+sailing&qid=1761655555&sprefix=seems+like+smooth+sailing%2Caps%2C165&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>
May 27, 2026
My Grandson Went Missing on a Cruise Ship… What Happened Next
<p>Ep59: Paul Thornton</p><br><p>Today I flipped the script on fellow podcaster Paul Thornton—lifelong cruise enthusiast, author of The Joy of Cruising book series, and host of The Joy of Cruising Podcast.</p><p>Paul shares his unconventional journey from military psychiatric work to corporate finance, entrepreneurship in the video rental boom, and eventually academia—before finding his true passion in cruising and storytelling. A transformative 2018 family cruise sparked his writing career, which evolved into a podcast where each episode captures unique, human stories from the world of cruising.</p><p>The conversation dives into the realities of cruise culture from a passenger’s lens, the power of storytelling, and the emotional highs (and occasional fears) of life at sea. From near-misses with a missing grandson to unforgettable themed cruises, Paul brings decades of experience—and perspective—to the mic.</p><p><br></p><h2>🔑 Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li><strong>Passion evolves over time</strong></li><li>Paul’s career path proves it’s never too late to pivot toward what you truly love.</li><li><strong>Storytelling is the heart of cruising</strong></li><li>Whether through books or podcasts, compelling human experiences drive engagement.</li><li><strong>Cruising is more than a vacation</strong></li><li>For enthusiasts, it’s a lifestyle, community, and even an identity.</li><li><strong>Themed cruises create unmatched experiences</strong></li><li>Shared passions (music, culture, etc.) elevate connection and enjoyment onboard.</li><li><strong>Adversity can spark creativity</strong></li><li>The pandemic disrupted Paul’s work—but ultimately led to deeper storytelling and new formats.</li><li><strong>There’s an untold side of cruise life</strong></li><li>Behind the glamour lies a complex crew experience that rarely gets fully explored.</li></ul><p><br></p><h2>🎬Chapters</h2><p><strong>00:00</strong> – The Night Everything Changed at Sea…</p><p><strong>02:18</strong> – Meet Paul Thornton: From Military to Cruise Expert</p><p><strong>06:45</strong> – His Unexpected Journey Into Academia & Becoming a Doctor</p><p><strong>11:32</strong> – Corporate Success, Video Rentals & Reinventing His Career</p><p><strong>16:10</strong> – The Cruise That Sparked Everything (2018 Turning Point)</p><p><strong>21:05</strong> – Why Cruising Became an Obsession</p><p><strong>26:40</strong> – The Dark Side of Cruise Ships (What People Don’t See)</p><p><strong>32:15</strong> – 2:30AM… His Grandson Went Missing 😳</p><p><strong>38:50</strong> – The Scariest Moments & What Happened Next</p><p><strong>45:20</strong> – Inside Themed Cruises (Soul Train, Niche Experiences & More)</p><p><strong>52:10</strong> – COVID, Cancelled Cruises & Reinventing Through Podcasting</p><p><strong>01:00:05</strong> – Lessons From 40+ Cruises (What You NEED to Know)</p><p><strong>01:08:30</strong> – Final Thoughts: Why Cruise Stories Matter</p><br><p><a href="https://www.thejoyofcruisingpodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Joy of Cruising Podcast</a></p><br><p>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!</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 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B4A0ZKZGAJAB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KA4Fxto6T4xMcjxVOEKjPg.Gg-UfXKT72YMo7GHbMHkccAtlErN4hPBHdl1dtrF9gs&dib_tag=se&keywords=seems+like+smooth+sailing&qid=1761655555&sprefix=seems+like+smooth+sailing%2Caps%2C165&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>
May 20, 2026
Why Gen Z and Old-School Seafarers Clash at Sea
<p>Ep58: Tineke Zoet</p><br><p>In this episode of Deck Tales, we are joined by maritime workplace coach Tineke Zoet, whose unconventional journey—from Dutch Merchant Navy engineer to human factors specialist and coach—offers a powerful lens on life at sea.</p><p>Tineke shares how her early struggles with toxic leadership, burnout, and feeling like an outsider shaped her mission to improve psychological safety in the maritime industry. Drawing on both lived experience and accident analysis research, she unpacks the hidden human factors behind incidents at sea—fatigue, poor communication, and unsafe cultures—arguing that technology has advanced faster than the people using it.</p><p>The conversation explores the realities of isolation, identity, and cultural tension onboard, as well as the evolving challenges brought by generational shifts and social media. Ultimately, Tineke makes a compelling case: the future of safe and effective shipping depends not just on technical skill, but on human-centered leadership, accountability, and connection.</p><p><a href="https://www.tinekezoet.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tineke Zoet – Maritime Workplace Coach</a></p><br><p><br></p><h2>⚓ Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li><strong>Human factors drive most incidents</strong></li><li>80–90% of maritime accidents trace back to human elements—fatigue, miscommunication, or deeper systemic issues—not just surface-level errors.</li><li><strong>Fatigue and loneliness are chronic issues</strong></li><li>Long rotations, isolation, and high workloads continue to strain mental health at sea.</li><li><strong>Technology ≠ solution</strong></li><li>Automation has reduced crew sizes and increased pressure, often worsening communication and workload instead of easing it.</li><li><strong>Psychological safety is critical—but overlooked</strong></li><li>Crew must feel safe to speak up regardless of rank; without this, risk increases dramatically.</li><li><strong>Leadership culture needs a shift</strong></li><li>“Soft skills” like empathy and communication are still undervalued, yet they’re essential for safety and performance.</li><li><strong>Burnout builds (gradually)</strong></li><li>It often starts mentally (loss of enjoyment, stress) before showing up physically (fatigue, migraines, shutdown).</li><li><strong>Personal accountability is transformative</strong></li><li>Tineke’s turning point came from shifting out of a victim mindset and recognizing patterns in her own behavior.</li><li><strong>Maritime life is misunderstood ashore</strong></li><li>Time off is often seen as “holiday,” masking the intensity and sacrifice of life onboard.</li><li><strong>Generational and cultural clashes are rising</strong></li><li>Differences in values, communication styles, and expectations are creating new tensions at sea.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h1>🎬Chapters</h1><p><strong>00:00</strong> – Welcome Aboard: Life at Sea Unfiltered</p><p><strong>02:15</strong> – From Netherlands to Ships: Tineke’s Story</p><p><strong>06:10</strong> – Why She Chose Life at Sea (And Almost Didn’t)</p><p><strong>10:25</strong> – The Reality of Working Onboard Ships</p><p><strong>15:40</strong> – Why Seafarers Feel Misunderstood Ashore</p><p><strong>21:05</strong> – The Hidden Struggles Between Contracts</p><p><strong>27:30</strong> – Toxic Workplaces: My Breaking Point</p><p><strong>34:50</strong> – The Turning Point: From Victim to Accountability</p><p><strong>41:20</strong> – Why People Clash at Sea (Gen Z vs Old Crew)</p><p><strong>48:10</strong> – Cultural Differences Onboard Ships Explained</p><p><strong>55:45</strong> – Loneliness & Isolation at Sea (Real Talk)</p><p><strong>01:02:30</strong> – Burnout Signs You Should NEVER Ignore</p><p><strong>01:09:15</strong> – The Truth About Maritime Mental Health</p><p><strong>01:16:40</strong> – 90% of Accidents Are Human Error… Why?</p><p><strong>01:23:05</strong> – Fatigue, Mistakes & Near Disasters at Sea</p><p><strong>01:29:20</strong> – Bullying, Banter or Harassment? Where’s the Line</p><p><strong>01:35:10</strong> – Leadership Failures That Put Crews at Risk</p><p><strong>01:41:00</strong> – Why Technology Is Making Things Worse</p><p><strong>01:46:30</strong> – What Needs to Change in the Maritime Industry</p><p><strong>01:51:30</strong> – Final Thoughts: The Future of Life at Sea</p><br><p>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!</p><br><p>To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:</p><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>Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B4A0ZKZGAJAB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KA4Fxto6T4xMcjxVOEKjPg.Gg-UfXKT72YMo7GHbMHkccAtlErN4hPBHdl1dtrF9gs&dib_tag=se&keywords=seems+like+smooth+sailing&qid=1761655555&sprefix=seems+like+smooth+sailing%2Caps%2C165&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>
62 total episodes available
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- What is DeckTales Podcast?
<p>DeckTales plunges you into the unbelievable reality of crew life! Join former cruise ship entertainer Sammy Catling as he collects the wildest, most hilarious sea stories from those who work on cruise ships, naval vessels, ferries and beyond. Ever wonder about the true secrets of ship life? We go beyond the brochures to expose the raw crew life and hidden corners of a maritime career. Hear from every kind of seafarer about the best, and often strangest, parts of cruise life and life at sea. This is the unfiltered, laugh-out-loud truth, but doesn’t shy away from the murkier depths of reality.</p><p>Inspired to start the podcast after the launch of his comedic memoir, Seems Like Smooth Sailing, Sam realised a simple truth: the people who live and breathe this industry have the best stories. The book covered the chaos, but Deck Tales seeks clarity! Subscribe now and prepare to be entertained by tales that truly prove things are rarely smooth sailing.</p><br><p>Ce<a href="https://www.decktales.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DeckTales</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> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 6 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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