Ep46: Richard Jones - Naval Engineer and Author

Today I'm speaking with Richard Jones — Royal Navy weapons engineer by day and one of Britain’s most prolific shipwreck and disaster historians by night. Richard shares how a lifelong fascination with maritime disasters turned into nearly three decades of research, 27+ published books, and multiple memorial campaigns honouring forgotten tragedies.

The conversation dives into shipwrecks, air disasters, historical myths, and the emotional weight of researching real loss. Richard explains why he focuses on overlooked stories, how social media transformed historical research, and why he believes history belongs to everyone — not locked away in private archives. From Costa Concordia to lost wartime ships, this episode explores the thin line between human error, hubris, and remembrance.

Key Takeaways

History isn’t owned — it’s shared. Richard’s mission is to preserve forgotten disasters before their stories disappear forever.

Research is part detective work. Separating myth from fact often takes years of interviews, archives, and firsthand accounts.

Modern tech changed everything. Social media now connects historians directly with survivors, families, and rare evidence.

Memorials matter. For families, plaques and books can provide long-overdue closure and public recognition.

Human error repeats itself. From Titanic to Titan, lessons at sea are often ignored — with tragic results.

Respect over sensationalism. Some truths don’t need to be published to honor the people involved.

https://shipwreckdata.wixsite.com/richard-m-jones

https://bsky.app/profile/wreckmasterjay.bsky.social

https://disasters-shipwrecks.blogspot.com

⏱️ YouTube Chapters (01:08:27)

00:00 – Welcome Aboard Deck Tales

Setting the scene: life at sea, disasters, and forgotten stories

04:12 – From Navy Engineer to Shipwreck Historian

How Richard Jones balances classified work with disaster research

09:35 – Why Most Tragedies Are Forgotten

Media bias, death tolls, and how history chooses what survives

15:48 – Shipwreck Myths vs Reality

Separating fact from fiction in maritime disasters

21:32 – The Human Cost of Disaster Research

The unseen emotional toll of studying real loss

28:10 – When Research Brings Families Closure

Memorials, survivors, and why remembrance matters

35:04 – Titanic, Titan & Repeating Mistakes

Why maritime disasters keep happening — again and again

41:22 – The Survivors Who Defied the Odds

Rafts, wartime sinkings, and impossible survival stories

48:05 – The Worst Captains in History

Ego, negligence, and decisions that doomed thousands

54:18 – The Biggest Shipwreck Conspiracies Debunked

The Titanic switch theory and other myths destroyed

01:01:10 – Beyond Titanic: Why These Stories Matter

Legacy, memory, and preserving history before it’s lost

#piratelegend #seadogs #piracy #shipstories

To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:

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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

Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here

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Ep45: Zamira Chevrestt - Volunteer Co-ordinator for In The Same Boat

Today I'm joined by Zamira, a volunteer coordinator and sustainability ambassador for the Norwegian environmental NGO In The Same Boat. Zamira shares what it’s really like cleaning marine litter along some of the most remote and unforgiving coastlines in the Arctic and Northern Europe — from freezing North Sea crossings to hauling tons of abandoned fishing gear off rocky beaches.

The conversation dives into how the NGO operates its fleet of sailboats, trains volunteers with little to no sailing experience, and balances hands-on cleanup with education, data collection, and systemic change. Zamira also opens up about the emotional highs and lows of life at sea, burnout in the NGO world, and why staying hopeful — and human — is essential when tackling an overwhelming global problem.

🌊 Key Takeaways

The Arctic is heavily polluted — even the most remote coastlines are clogged with marine litter, especially from fishing industries.

Cleaning is only part of the solution — education, data tracking, and collaboration with industries and governments are critical for long-term impact.

Volunteers don’t need sailing experience — just resilience, teamwork, and a willingness to get uncomfortable.

Life at sea is intense — physically demanding, emotionally charged, and deeply bonding.

Burnout is real in environmental work — stepping back, finding joy, and focusing on small wins keeps people going.

Individual actions still matter — change spreads person to person, habit to habit.

📌 Chapters (01:07:57)

01:38 – Meet Zamira & “In The Same Boat”

Cleaning the Arctic, sailing north, and teaching kids why the ocean isn’t a bin

04:10 – Volunteering at Sea: Who Can Join & What It’s Really Like

No sailing experience, extreme conditions, and physical demands

06:02 – Crossing the North Sea & Surviving Rough Waters

Seasickness, storms, fear, dolphins, and why sailors keep coming back

09:50 – How an Arctic Cleanup NGO Actually Works

Funding struggles, boats, tech, volunteers, and scaling impact

12:40 – First Cleanup Shock: “I’d Never Seen This Much Trash”

The myth of “clean” Norway and what shows up on remote beaches

16:25 – A Day in the Life of a Marine Cleanup Crew

12-hour days, midnight sun cleanups, weather chaos, and logistics

20:35 – One Million+ KG of Trash & Tracking the Data

GPS mapping, fishing nets, hotspots, and working with industry

28:15 – Burnout, Boat Life & Being ‘In the Same Boat’

Mental health, friendships, drama, romance, and volunteer reality

35:35 – Plastic, Wildlife & The Stats That Hurt

Seabirds, whales, microplastics, and why this is urgent

41:00 – Schools, Hope & Why the Next Generation Matters

Teaching kids, community impact, staying hopeful, and what you can do

52:30 – Boat Life Fun: Initiations, Food Fails & Reality TV Energy

Ghost pepper shots, porridge crimes, and why this should be a show

01:01:30 – Final Reflections: Why This Work Is Worth It

Small wins, real change, and not giving up on the ocean

To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:

Facebook:

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Instagram:

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TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@decktales

For all links you can head to the official website:

https://www.decktales.co.uk

If you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:

https://ko-fi.com/decktales

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

Special Thanks To:

Zamira Chevrestt

https://www.inthesameboat.eco

Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here

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Ep44: Anthony Cummins AKA Captain Tonz

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.”

Key Takeaways

Piracy isn’t what pop culture sells us: historically, pirates were explorers, innovators, and early champions of equality.

Connection beats control: Captain Tonz credits survival and success at sea to listening, not conquering.

The pirate code was radically progressive: equality, shared power, and respect were core principles.

Modern threats to the ocean are invisible: pollution, automation, and disconnection pose greater danger than storms.

Anyone can be a pirate — if they can connect, adapt, and take responsibility.

Chapters

00:00:00 — A Real Pirate Joins the Podcast

Meet Captain Tonz and the myth vs reality of piracy

00:04:42 — “Everything You Know About Pirates Is Wrong”

The true meaning of piracy and where the word comes from

00:09:05 — Running Away to Sea at 14

From troubled childhood to life aboard ships

00:14:18 — The Wave That Changed Everything

Surviving a rogue wave and finding purpose

00:19:52 — Becoming a Pirate by Accident

A master pirate, the Baltic Sea, and a life-altering choice

00:24:55 — Smuggling, Survival & Sea Instincts

Why piracy is about planning, not chaos

00:30:08 — Camels, Cargo & Breaking Records

The strangest things ever smuggled at sea

00:35:12 — Escaping the Royal Navy

Chains, hacksaw blades, and a Gibraltar breakout

00:40:18 — Pirate Code: Radical Equality at Sea

Why pirates were centuries ahead of their time

00:45:55 — Prison Cells & Close Calls

From East Germany to unexpected hospitality

00:51:02 — UFOs, Legends & Sea Mysteries

What sailors see that landlubbers never will

00:56:10 — Are Pirates the Guardians of the Ocean?

Pollution, responsibility, and protecting the sea

01:01:48 — Somali Pirates & The Truth Behind the Headlines

What really created modern piracy

01:08:32 — Stopping Environmental Crimes at Sea

When pirates enforced justice no one else would

01:14:55 — Who Can Be a Pirate?

Mental health, connection, and fearlessness

01:21:30 — Johnny Depp, Stephen Fry & Dream Crews

Casting pirates and Hollywood truth

01:28:45 — Pirates, AI & the Future of Navigation

Why modern sailors are losing vital skills

01:34:20 — Final Message from the Sea

A warning, a responsibility, and a call to act

https://captaintonz.com

https://www.originalpiratematerial.co.uk/

#piratelegend #seadogs #piracy #shipstories

To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:

Facebook:

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Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@decktales

For all links you can head to the official website:

https://www.decktales.co.uk

If you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:

https://ko-fi.com/decktales

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

Get Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.