I Was Shipwrecked After Killer Whale Attack & Ate Turtles To Survive | Minutes With | @LADbible

In this week episode we sat down with Douglas Robertson, who told us an incredible story of his family travelling around the world in a boat that eventually got shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean after a killer whale attack.

Douglas explained their survival story and shared what he thinks about his experience when he looks back at it now.

Many thanks to Douglas Robertson for sharing his story!

#LADbible #UNILAD

[jamesrichardson]

A 36minute story I will never forget. The intellect, bravery and sheer bloody mindedness of that whole family is awe inspiring.

[OfficialSituation]

Those 36 minutes went by so fast. Incredible, breathtaking story

[animarriott]

The surviving dinghy is on display at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth UK.... Such an incredible thing to see up close once you are intimate with the story - well worth a visit

[coldisle]

It’s so wonderful to hear you speak Douglas. I’m now 71, and I don’t any true story in my lifetime has been more riveting. I’ve thought about your family’s ordeal many times and I have kept my copy of the book on my boat. As you of all people know, there have been killer whale ramming reported over the past few years, and the news people inevitably describe it as an “unprecedented” event. They clearly haven’t read “Survive the Savage Sea!” The Lucette was such a beautiful boat. Thank you Douglas…absolutely riveting to hear this story first hand from you. Your emotion…still…is so palpable, and deeply appreciated.

[KatherineUribe-]

By far, the most frightening, harrowing and profoundly human story I have ever heard. The love of his family shines through, no resentment just gratitude and love. I cannot help but believe some divine, benevolent force was protecting that family. This is a story I will think about, over and over.

[skylinerunner]

I read his father's book several times when I was 14 and found it utterly inspiring in so many ways. At the time I was living under the rule of violence from a vicious stepfather, and the book, like so many others, transported me away with this family in peril, and their struggle for survival breathed life into my own, although our circumstances were quite different. The potrait of the 18 year old son in the pages of the story is a loving one, the father describing his son's dogged devotion to keeping watch, his deep anger and sadness at the first ship not spotting them, his strength and relaibility being a huge support throughout the ordeal. The fact that they all lived was due to two things: Dougal Robertson's invaluable skill and experience as a seaman, and the single kitchen knife he grabbed in the few minutes it took for their yacht to go down. That knife enabled them to kill and cut up raw food, cut material for sun hats, cut string and strips of rubber from the inflatable raft to fashion makeshift rain-catchers. By the time they were rescued, the knife blade was all but worn down to a sliver. So moving to get some first-hand accounts from Douglas Robertson, the steadfast son. I still own the secondhand copy of the book and I'll never part with it.

[bobbyshabangu]

This man is a good story teller. I'm visualising the whole thing as he is telling the story!

[Militant]

An amazing recollection of events told by an amazing man in the most eloquent and vivid way. As he was speaking and telling the story you could picture all of it in your mind so clearly. He has such a calming voice which is completely engaging, one you could listen to all day. Incredible story of courage, strength and sheer will to survive. The love and compassion he has for his parents is beautiful.

[MrHip]

I survived ONE night capsized off OC, NJ and it changed my life at the time. I forget how lucky I was at times until I tell the story to someone and get emotional. This story is What an amazing story of survival and perseverance.

[toserveman]

I'm 67 and sailed as a teenager, all I can say about this story is " Wow "

[helimax]

As a parent, the part about his mother giving up her turn to let them sleep in the only dry part of the raft hits hard. Love is what matters, no more, no less.

[nnicollan]

Eloquence, intelligence.. humanity. I'm in awe of this man. What a story!

[steveirwin_]

Woah! The fact that it was the day it rained which made him so emotional shows how incredibly significant that day was! Probably the most important day in that family's life!

[rasserfrasser]

No comments, just floored. Simply revelational.

[TinMan]

I really love this story and the kindness at the heart of it. So often survivors in these situations turn on each other, and the fact Robin made it home tells you about their families integrity.

[dougfitch]

I am a sailor and, listening to him recount this horrifying story with such a calming presence was a study in juxtaposition. Reflecting this, I now have a sore stomach, a tight jaw, and a sense of calm awe. 😮

[LorienInksong]

Wow this whole family is incredible. That's one hell of a situation and story, I'm so relieved they all survived that.

[CT-nqqo]

I sailed with my family on what was supposed to be a voyage around the world. I remember a day when I saw whales flipping and twirling in the air, up ahead of us. At the time I thought it was beautiful and I pointed it out to my family. My dad's reaction was totally unexpected because he ran to the tiller and turned the boat as quickly as he could without plotting a new course nor checking compass readings. He went in another direction for miles because he knew what whales who were playing could do to our yacht that was only 39 foot long.

[TruthinLove]

My life is richer from having listened to this amazing story. ♥️🙏
One of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever heard.

[SydneyGirl]

He tells his whole story on Spotify. I've forgotten which podcast. It is absolutely breath-taking. What a wonderful human being, Douglas is.