← Against The Odds
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- [00:00]
Cassie Depechel
Wondery subscribers can listen to against the Odds early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
- [00:10]
Moss Hills
A Listener Note against the Odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events. Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented, but everything is based on research. Wonder Moss Hills strums his acoustic guitar on stage, but his mind is somewhere else. He's trying to make sense of what he and dozens of passengers just saw through the lounge windows moments ago. Under the dim glow of the emergency lights, a lifeboat began clattering down the side of the ship. The storm has been hammering the Oceanos ever since they left East London more than five hours ago. Then, just after 9pm they heard a loud bang and the vessel lost power. Safety lights came on, but no alarm was sounded and no announcement came from the bridge. His boss, cruise director Lorraine Betts, went up to speak with the captain. He told her there was some flooding in the engine room and said it was nothing serious. But Lorraine had seen officers climbing into a lifeboat, and now it looks like they've launched. Moss keeps playing, but his thoughts are racing. Why would officers abandon ship in a storm over engine trouble? It doesn't make sense. Something must be seriously wrong. Was that a lifeboat? Is the ship in trouble? Moss is not the only one with questions. Voices are rising over the music. What's going on? For the past 45 minutes, he and Tracy, his wife and bandmate, have have been doing everything they can to keep the mood light, playing old favorites, leading sing alongs, trying to keep people calm while they gather in the lounge and put on their life jackets. But as they finish Sweet Caroline, the crowd's questions grow louder. Their music is no longer enough of a distraction. Moss takes a breath and answers, doing his best to keep the worry out of his voice. Sit tight, everyone. I'm going to see if I can find out what's going on. He lifts his guitar over his head and secures it to the stand. Tracy watches him, concerned. Moss, where are you going? Below decks to see for myself. Don't worry, I'll bring Julian. Okay? Just be careful. Moss finds Julian Butler, a British magician and comedian, and they head for the nearest stairwell at the front of the ship. They move fast, descending deck by deck, but when they reach the lowest level, Moss stops cold. The stairwell is flooded. Not a trickle, not a puddle. Over a foot of water sloshing and rising. The bottom steps are already submerged. Moss stares at the eerie shimmer of dim light across the water. It's real. It's happening he takes a shaky step back, turns to Julian and says the words neither of them wants to believe. Oh my God. There's no doubt about it now. Sooner or later, the ship is going down. People love dogs on account of how nice, soft and fluffy they are. But did you know there's a credit card called CareCredit and it's like a dog in every single way. Okay, it's nothing like a dog, but you can use it to pay for things like vet care for your dog, or dental and vision care for yourself. At over 270,000 locations nationwide, CareCredit offers flat, flexible financing for health and wellness for pets and people. Which actually makes it better than a dog, because dogs don't even have flexible financing. Take that dog. Visit carecredit.com to apply and find a.
- [03:56]
Tracy
Location near you subject to credit approval.
- [03:58]
Cassie Depechel
And now a next level moment from AT&T business. Say you've sent out a gigantic shipment of pillows and they need to be there in time for International Sleep day. You've got AT and T5G so you're fully confident, but the vendor isn't responding and International Sleep Day is tomorrow. Luckily, AT&T 5G lets you deal with any issues with ease, so the pillows will get delivered and everyone can sleep soundly, especially you. AT&T 5G requires a compatible plan and device coverage not available everywhere. Learn more@att.com 5G Network.
- [04:33]
Moss Hills
From Wondery I'm Cassie Depechel, and this is against the Odds. On the evening of August 3, 1991, the cruise ship Oceanos was sailing through a storm off South Africa's eastern coastline when disaster struck. 571 people were on board. Unbeknownst to them, seawater began flooding into the generator room through a breach in the ship's hull. But the ship's captain never told anyone just how serious the situation really was. Instead, most senior officers quietly abandoned ship, deserting their posts and breaking with the old maritime traditional women and children first. Ironically, that very code known as the Birkenhead Drill originated along this same coastline in 1852, after the sinking of the HMS Birkenhead. But on this night, it wasn't the officers who honored it. It was the ship's entertainers who led the evacuation, doing whatever they could to save lives before it was too late. This is Episode two, Abandon Ship. Lorraine Betts marches up the steps to the bridge with her green windbreaker on, zip tight, more frustrated than ever. She still can't believe what she just saw. A lifeboat carrying officers just launched into the water. One of their best ones, with a hard shell and motor meant to carry the most vulnerable. Like rats deserting a sinking ship, she thinks. When she ran up to the bridge earlier, the captain insisted they weren't sinking. He told her to hand out life jackets just as a precaution. She wasn't convinced then, and she sure isn't now. She sensed in him a lack of backbone, a lack of resolve. She pushes through the doors of the command center. It's nearly empty, just a couple of officers lingering by the controls. Lorraine doesn't hesitate. She strides straight up to the captain, who stands motionless, staring ahead, either frozen in shock or disturbingly calm, given the circumstances. Sir, what is going on? There's been no alarm. Why did a lifeboat leave if we're not sinking? The captain barely turns. My officers left to get help because the engine won't start. Lorraine clenches her jaw. To get help in a storm like this? She still doesn't buy it, not for a second. Without another word, she turns on her heel and heads back down the stairs. Her heart is pounding. It's up to you now, she tells herself. Back in the lounge, magician Robin Bultman is doing his best to keep things light. All right, folks, a quick lesson in life jacket fashion. Because who says safety can't be stylish? Just then, Moss and Gillian burst through the doors. They've just returned from below decks. Lorraine spots them and hurries to meet them at the side of the stage. So what did you see? Moss catches his breath. There's water everywhere. It doesn't look good. Lorraine exhales sharply. That's all she needs to hear. She wouldn't normally have the authority to order an evacuation, but most of the officers are gone and the captain is not doing anything. Plus her 87 year old grandmother is on board. Someone has to take control. She's worked on cruise ships for over a decade and has emergency training, though nothing that could have prepared her for this. She quickly gathers more of her team. Dancers, cabaret artists, admin hosts. A few Greek waiters join in. They huddle close, start moving women, children and the elderly to the lifeboat station. Quietly, no announcements. Go one by one. Then she turns to Moss and Julian. I need your help loading them in. Get the boats ready. They nod without hesitation. And hurry. Brigadier Richard Lord jolts awake at his home in Pretoria, South Africa. The Air Force commander reaches for the receiver, squinting at his bedside clock. 11:00pm he'd only just fallen asleep. Hello, sir. It's Commandant Van Rensburg, senior duty Officer. Apologies if I woke You. What's the problem? Lord has been in the military long enough to know good news never comes from a late night call. He's a decorated former fighter pilot who once trained American jet pilots for the Navy. Just two days ago he was promoted to Brigadier, putting him in charge of Air Force operations across South Africa. Sir, there's a passenger liner in trouble, Oceanos, en route to Durban, about 80 miles north northeast of East London. We've been informed the ship is sinking. The Wild Coast, Lord thinks. For centuries that stretch of coastline has been a graveyard for ships. He stands and walks over to his closet, stretching the phone cord as far as it will go. He keeps the receiver wedged between his shoulder and ear as the senior duty officer continues. Mayday came in at 10:50pm the engine room is flooded and the ship is taking on water. 571 people aboard, winds gusting at 40 knots, waves hitting 40ft. Lord pulls on his pants, his mind already racing through worst case scenarios. Any ships in the area? A few cargo vessels are en route, but they're still hours away. Lord curses under his breath. The Oceanos is stranded in one of the most unforgiving stretches of ocean on Earth. He doesn't know how many lifeboats the ship has, whether anyone's been evacuated, or how long they have before the vessel goes under, but one thing is certain. Every second counts. Call out all available rescue helicopters and dispatch Navy divers to assist. I'm on my way. He hangs up, throws on the rest of his uniform, grabs his keys and bolts out the door. Minutes later, he's tearing down the highway toward the command office. Rain hammers against the windshield. The wipers can barely keep up. He stays focused and steady, but deep down he knows evacuating nearly 600 people in a storm like this will take everything they've got. Deborah Lariche slumps against the lounge wall, doing her best to avoid her husband Renee's eyes. He wasn't keen to come on this cruise in the first place, not even with the steep discount offered to travel agents, but she insisted it was too good to pass up. It will be the experience of a lifetime, she told him. Now here they are late at night, stuck in the ship's overcrowded lounge wearing their life jackets with no explanation. Their two kids, 8 year old Raymond and 5 year old Megan, are asleep across their laps. It's hours past bedtime. She almost laughs, thinking back to earlier that day. Renee had looked up at the Oceanos and called it a rusty tub. She cracked a joke about finding her escape hatch Neither of them had any idea how close to the truth they might be. They'd been in the lounge for over two hours, ever since someone knocked on their door and told them to head upstairs immediately. It sounded urgent, and now they're still waiting. Renee shifts beside her. This is ridiculous. The kids are exhausted. We're exhausted. We should just go back to our cabin. They said we're not allowed back down there. Just then a man crouches down beside them. Deborah recognizes him, one of the Greek waiters who warmly welcomed them aboard with a tray of mini pizzas. His voice is soft but urgent. Please come with me. We need to get ready. Deborah blinks at him, confused. Ready for what? Where are we going? To the lifeboats. Don't worry. Everything will be okay. Then he looks to Renee. I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to stay aboard. Deborah is shocked. We're actually abandoning ship. She looks over at Renee. He's always been the practical one, grounded, skeptical. But now in his eyes she sees something else. Fear. He looks down at Raymond and Megan, then back at the waiter. Just tell us where to go. They gently wake the kids. Deborah kneels and tightens the life jacket around Megan's waist. It's too big for her, but it's all they could find. Megan rubs her eyes and looks up at her. Mommy, are we going swimming? Deborah forces a smile. No, sweetheart. We're just going on to another boat. Everything's fine. I promise. But even as the words leave her mouth, she knows she can't be sure. Deborah looks back at the waiter, her voice steady now, though her hands are trembling. Okay, we're ready. Moss Hills braces against a sudden blast of wind and freezing rain as he steps onto the main deck. He's searching for crew. He knows what needs to happen next. When he and Julian returned to the lounge, passengers had followed up with more questions. What had he seen? What was going on? He didn't want to cause panic, but he didn't want to lie to them either. He told them the ship is in worse shape than they thought, but they're still assessing the situation. They'd let everyone know as soon as they had more information. In the meantime, Moss and the other TFC staff are moving quickly to start loading the lifeboats. The Oceanos has eight of them to launch one. It first has to be lowered to the promenade deck by two small cranes called davits. Once it's in place, passengers can board and then it's slowly lowered into the sea. The only two lifeboats with engines and covers have already been lowered on the orders of senior officers. One has just left and the second is now filling up mostly with more officers. Now Moss needs to get the remaining six lifeboats lowered and loaded with passengers, but he has no idea how to work the davits. Up ahead, he spots a group of junior crew, mostly Filipino deckhands and kitchen workers. They do some of the ship's hardest jobs and are often overlooked. Moss respects the them. He jogs up, breathless. Please, can you help? We need to launch the rest of the lifeboats. The crew exchange uneasy glances. We must wait. The order has to come from officers. We follow what they say. Moss is stunned. They must not know. Please. Most of the officers have already abandoned ship. We need to start preparing the others. Their eyes widen as the weight of his words send sinks in. Then, without a word, they scatter into action. Moss turns and heads for the lifeboat station. It's time to abandon ship.
- [15:57]
Tracy
In the first half of the 20th century, one woman changed adoption in America. What was once associated with the shame of unmarried mothers became not only acceptable but fashionable. But Georgia Tann didn't help families find new homes out of the goodness of her heart. She was stealing babies from happy families and selling them for profit. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, the host of Wondery show American Scandal. We bring to life some of the biggest controversies in US History. Presidential lies, environmental disasters, corporate fraud. And in our latest series, a young adoption worker moves to Memphis, Tennessee, and becomes one of the most powerful women in the city. By the time her crimes are exposed decades later, she's made a fortune and destroyed hundreds of families along the way. Follow American Scandal on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad free and be the first to binge the newest season only on Wondery. You can join Wondery in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial today.
- [16:53]
Julian Butler
It's your girl, Keke. And if you haven't heard my podcast, baby, this is Keke Palmer. You're missing out. You know, I do it all acting, singing, hosting, producing. But this podcast right here, this is where I get to be my whole entire self with my people. And that means you. Every week we're hanging out, getting into the juiciest conversations. And trust me when I say the tea is hot and the guests are serving. We're talking entertainers, creators, thought leaders, everybody whose everybody comes through to keep it real with your girl. But this isn't just about me and my guest spilling tea. This is about us. You and me hanging out every week, getting into everything from career moves to life drama to being a mom. Nothing is off limits. I'm always gonna be your girl, keke keeping it 100 so come through and join the conversation. Head over to YouTube if you want to watch the full exclusive experience or you can subscribe to Baby this is Kiki Palmer on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcast. Want it early and ad free? Join Wondery plus right now.
- [18:01]
Moss Hills
Michael O. Mahoney cradles his sleeping four year old son Liam against his shoulder. How can he sleep through this? He wonders. Across from him, his wife Yvette nurses their three month old daughter, Maggie. The lounge is so crowded they've been sitting on the floor for more than two hours, just waiting. Suddenly a woman, one of the musicians, kneels beside them. She glances at the children and offers a sympathetic smile. Hi, I'm Tracy. Please follow me. We're bringing women and children to the lifeboats. Michael's stomach drops. Women and children first, like the Titanic. Her voice is calm and steady, but something must be seriously wrong. He feels Yvette's hand squeeze his arm. He looks at Tracy with pleading eyes. My wife can't manage both her son and her baby alone. Try not to worry. There'll be a staff person in each boat to assist. Michael exhales and gently nudges Liam awake. Hey buddy, we've got to get up now. As soon as he stands, Michael notices a slight tilt in the ship. He can feel it in his legs. It's listing to the starboard side about 10 degrees. The four of them walk out onto the promenade deck. Wind howls around them and rain lashes their faces. A couple dozen passengers are already lined up at the lifeboat side station. Michael spots their friends, Neil and Robin Shaw, and their young daughter. Another huge wave crashes against the hull. Michael's eyes shoot to the lifeboat swinging from the davits. Every time a wave hits the ship, the lifeboat swings out two or three feet, then slams back hard against the side of the hall. He and Yvette exchange a look. The gap looks dangerous. If someone slips between, they're not the only ones hesitating. There are no officers in sight, no one in uniform. Just a woman with dark wavy hair in a green windbreaker taking charge. He recalls she's the cruise director. They met her earlier. She's working alongside one of the magicians and Moss, the guitarist. Moss calls out to them over the wind. The ship is is sinking. We don't know when, but if you don't get in, you might go down with it. That's all it takes. As the lifeboat slams back against the hull, Moss swings one leg into it and braces it tight against the ship. Come on. Jump. Now. A few passengers leap in before it swings back over open water. It's all about timing. Michael watches as the cruise director hugs an elderly woman, maybe her grandmother, and helps her step into the boat. A woman staffer is already inside, steadying passengers as they jump aboard. Then it's Yvette's turn. She clutches Maggie tightly while Michael steadies her by the waist. When the lifeboat swings back in, Mosh shouts, get ready now. She steps quickly across, helped by the woman staffer. Michael then kneels beside Liam. Alright buddy. When the boat comes back, climb in fast. They'll help. You okay? Liam nods, wide eyed but brave. I love you. Go be with mom and Meggie. I'll see you soon. When the lifeboat swings in again, Moss holds it steady and Liam climbs aboard. Michael stands still, locking eyes with Yvette. She mouths, I love you. He mouths it back. Then suddenly he's shoved aside. A dozen officers in uniform push past the waiting passengers and climb into the lifeboat. No one stops them. Michael stumbles back, trying to keep his footing. When he looks up again, Yvette and the children are out of sight. He stands there with his heart pounding, wondering if he's just seen his family for the last time. Lorraine Betts watches in disbelief as a stream of officers shove their way toward the lifeboat. She's doing everything she can to keep order. Some sense of calm in the chaos. And now this senior crew scrambling for safety after doing nothing to help. It's infuriating. And then she sees him. Captain Avranis, striding toward the lifeboat like it's his rightful place. Without thinking, she grabs the back of his life jacket and yanks him hard. Where the hell do you think you're going? He spins around, startled. I'm just checking on my wife and daughter. He points. Sure enough, they're already seated inside. Lorraine stares him down. That may be true, but that's not all he's trying to do. He's done nothing and now he wants wants off. She's about to call him out when a loud mechanical noise cuts through the wind. The lifeboat's winch is in motion. The officers on board are lowering it. Wait. You can't lower it yet. There's still room for more people. They ignore her. The davits keep turning. Then suddenly, one end of the lifeboat drops with a jolt, leaving it hanging, lopsided in midair. Passengers scream as they tumble into one another. Lorraine's heart seizes. Her nan is down there. A deckhand rushes in with a pole to release the jammed davit. It gives way and a pulley chain lashes through the air just as the lifeboat slams into the sea. Lorraine's walkie talkie crackles. It's Lynn. Her staff are on board. Lorraine, your granny's been hit in the head. She's bleeding and water's coming in. Please bring us back up. Lorraine grips the railing with one hand and presses the walkie talkie tight to her chest with the other. She watches, helpless as the lifeboat is carried away into the darkness. Her nan is barely 5ft tall and can't swim. She's injured somewhere out there in the open water. But there's no way to bring the boat back. Not now. Lorraine swallows hard. There are still hundreds of people on board and right now they need her. Deborah Lariche stares at the lifeboat swaying just off the side of the ship. Suspended by thick cables. The Oceanos is listing around 15 degrees, leaving a frightening gap between the vessel and the lifeboat. Three, maybe four feet wide. Renee stands beside her, gripping eight year old Raymond's hand, while Deborah holds five year old Megan in her arms. Renee leans in. At least it's one of the covered lifeboats with an engine. Deborah nods, but at this moment it's not much of a comfort. The gap looks impossibly wide. I don't think I can do it. She's not the only one panicking. There's a commotion at the loading spot. Shouting. Confusion. A woman in a green windbreaker. One of the staff is yelling from the deck at officers already inside the lifeboat, eager to launch. Don't leave yet. You're not full. Please. A few more. We can't. We will sink. Then two entertainment staff arrive, carrying a wooden door stripped from its hinges. They lay it across the gap, forming a makeshift bridge between the deck and in the lifeboat's open hatch. Deborah stares in disbelief. This is the plan. A plank of wood swaying 30ft above the sea. And she thought the slippery ramp they'd boarded on earlier was bad. The woman in the windbreaker slaps her on the back. Your turn. You have to move fast if you want to get on. Raymond dashes across, unfazed, but Deborah's knees go weak. Renee lifts Megan from her arms to free her hands. Deborah takes a breath, then steps onto the creaking plank. It shifts beneath her weight, but she keeps moving. One step, then another. Then she's across. She turns and sees Renee Holding Megan out over the gap. For a split second, a terrifying image flashes through her mind. Her daughter slipping, falling into the sea. But no, she's got her. Deborah pulls Megan in tight. She moves past several officers and takes a seat among other women, gripping their children. Some are crying, others are praying. She spots the casino dealer too, clutching a small bag in his lap. Through the window she sees Renee still standing on deck, watching them. She leans toward an officer near the hatch. Please, can my husband come too? The officer doesn't even look up. No women and children only. His tone is final. Deborah's eyes fill with tears. She locks eyes with Renee through the window. He gives her a small steady nod. The officers begin lowering the lifeboat. It descends slowly at first and hits the sea hard. Deborah squeezes Megan tighter as the ship rocks wildly. Her daughter's life jacket is too big. If they go over, it won't hold. The engine sputters, then catches. An officer begins steering them away from the ship and slowly they pick up speed, climbing and crashing through the swells. Deborah gathers Raymond against her her, buries her face in Megan's hair and whispers a silent prayer. Please let us make it. Yvette o' Mahony squeezes three month old Maggie tighter to her chest as the uncovered lifeboat rises and crashes over towering waves. In the darkness. Beside her, four year old Liam wraps both arms around her, his face buried in her side. It's been more than an hour since they left the Oceanos, though it feels like an eternity. The lifeboat is open to the elements. Salt spray stings her cheeks. Her teeth won't stop chattering. Everyone on board is soaked and freezing. She hadn't thought it was possible to feel more seasick than she did on the ship, but this is far worse. Her stomach turns again and she leans over the side to vomit. She's not alone. All around her, people are retching, sobbing and praying. Her thoughts keep flashing back to her husband Michael, and the look in his eyes as she said goodbye. He must be frantic, especially after watching them drop so violently into the water. The lifeboat is in poor condition. It has no engine and the oars snapped like twigs. Almost immediately, two crewmen are trying to steer, using levers that move a small propeller. But it's no match for the raging sea. The officers who muscled their way aboard are huddled uselessly at the back, passing around a bottle of whiskey. A cruise staffer named Lynn, who helped abet board, has been tending to an elderly woman who got stuck, struck by a flying chain during the launch. The poor woman has a bleeding gash on her head, and Lynn is pressing a towel to the wound. Yvette has no idea where they're headed, or if anyone does. There's no drinking water, no emergency food rations, no real plan. Just this small, battered boat lost in a nightmare of wind and water. She can't imagine how much longer they can survive like this. The lifeboat dives into a deep trough, then climbs again, riding the shoulder of another massive wave. She pulls Liam closer and tightens her grip on Maggie. Then, just as they crest the next swell, someone yells out. Lights. There. It's a ship. Yvette jerks her head up. For a brief moment, high atop the wave, she sees it too. A flicker on the horizon. But then the boat plunges back into the trough and the light disappears. All that's left is the wind, the cold, and the endless dark water.
- [30:35]
Cassie Depechel
This is Nick and this is Jack. We're best friends, ex finance guys, and resident 90s experts. And every week on our podcast, the Best Idea yet, we're bringing you the untold stories behind your favorite favorite products. For instance, can you guess which billion dollar fashion company went viral thanks to a rhinestone covered tracksuit? Or which cartoon turned four turtles into a global toy empire by accident? It started as a joke. Last one which cold beverage was so hated by Starbucks they actually ended up acquiring it? Spoiler. The Frappuccino. Howard Schultz apparently thought cold coffee was super lame and then he bought it. From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Juicy Couture Tour to the Orange Mocha Frappuccino, join us every week to learn how your favorite things got made. Follow the best idea yet on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. And you can listen early and ad free right now by joining Wondery. And if this podcast lasts longer than 45 minutes, call your doctor. Every big moment starts with a big dream. But what happens when that big dream comes? Turns out to be a big flop. From Wondery and Illmedia, I'm Misha Brown and this is the Big Flop. Every week, comedians join me to chronicle the biggest flubs, fails and blunders of all time. Like Quibi.
- [31:56]
Moss Hills
It's kind of like when you give yourself your own nickname and you try to like, get other people to do it.
- [32:00]
Cassie Depechel
And the 2019 movie adaptation of Cats.
- [32:03]
Moss Hills
Like if I'm watching the dancing and I'm noticing the feet aren't touching the ground, there's something wrong with the movie.
- [32:09]
Cassie Depechel
Find out what happens when massive hype turns into major fiasco. Enjoy the big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to the Big Flop early and ad free on Wondery Plus. Get started with your free trial at wondery.com/.
- [32:38]
Moss Hills
Moss Hills breathes a sigh of relief, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion as he steps back into the lounge. It's almost 3am and every available lifeboat has now been launched. For hours he's been running on adrenaline, evacuating passengers through the storm. Wave after wave. It was dangerous. The lifeboats kept swinging away from the ship. Moss had no idea how to secure them in place, so he'd plant one foot in the lifeboat, brace it against the ship, and help passengers in as quickly as he could. Thankfully, no one fell into the sea or was crushed between the hulls. In the lounge, the remaining passengers are scattered across the room. Most are calm but visibly exhausted, slumped in chairs with their life jackets on. The air is thick with tension and sewage. The toilets have backed up and the smell is everywhere. Moss gathers with Lorraine, Tracy, Julian, and Robin near the stage. Lorraine is tallying up a rough head count. There are around 240 people still aboard. She sighs and shakes her head. Moss shares her frustration. The ship had eight lifeboats, enough room for all 571 people, but they were only able to launch five, including two that left half empty, carrying senior officers and their suitcases. Two others had to be cast off empty because of faulty gear, and one jammed and had to be unloaded. Moss turns to Lorraine. What do we do now? Is help even on the way? Does anyone even know we're in trouble? I don't know. We need to find the captain. Moss and magician Robin Boltman volunteer to go up to the bridge. They climb flight after flight of listing stairwells. At the top level, Moss pushes open the heavy doors and stops cold. The command center is empty. There's not a single officer in sight. Logbooks and binoculars slide across the floor as the vessel tilts. Navigation screens are still glowing. Everything is powered on, but no one is here. Just the captain's canary chirping in its cage. They'd been so focused on evacuating passengers onto lifeboats, they hadn't fully realized just how completely abandoned they'd been by the senior crew. Moss's stomach twists. They need to reach someone, but neither he nor Robin knows how to use the equipment. Moss grabs the emergency radio handset and gives it a shot. Mayday. Mayday. Can anyone hear me? Silence. He tries again. Mayday. Mayday. This is the Oceanos. We're sinking. They wait. Then a crackle. A VOICE comes THROUGH this is Captain Detmar of the Nedloid Mauritius. We're on our way to you. We've been notified of your situation. At last, a flicker of hope. Moss presses the mic again. All the lifeboats have been launched but we still have over 200 people aboard. We need help. How much time do you have? I'm not sure. A few hours. What is your current position? About halfway between East London and Durban. No, I need your exact coordinates. I have no idea. Another pause. Why don't you know your coordinates? What's your rank? I don't have a rank. I'm the guitar player. The captain isn't here. No one is. More silence. Understood. Please try to locate your captain. I need to speak with him directly. Okay, we'll try to find him. Moss sets the the mic down and looks at Robin, who's practically laughing in disbelief. You know, Moss, I've made a lot of things disappear in my magic act. But our captain? That's the best vanishing act I've ever seen. The two of them turn and hurry back down the stairs, off into the dark tilting corridors of the ship to find their captain, wherever the hell he is. Captain Chas Goatley stands at the front of the airfield's operation room in Durban, spreading out a map of South Africa's Wild Coast. Across the table, four helicopter crews, including pilots, divers and engineers, sit around him in chairs, bleary eyed but focused. It's 3am A few hours earlier, a red alert had come through. A cruise liner was sinking off the Wild coast with nearly 600 people aboard. @ first Goatly thought it might be a prank, but the call was real. The 36 year old pilot has been flying since he was 19, so he knows the stakes. There's an instinct even among seasoned rescue pilots to leap into action the moment the distress signal sounds. But Goatly knows that doing so in the darkness with hurricane force winds could be suicide. If we go in now, we risk going into the sea ourselves. Or worse, hitting the deck and taking out 100 passengers with us. He paces slowly, making eye contact with each of his team members. We'll arrive at first light. Two choppers will head straight for the ship to evacuate people. The other two will follow and search the water for survivors. Captain Goatley has already divided the crews into teams. A young Navy diver named Paul Wiley will be flying with him. The crews nod, then move quickly to their aircraft. Outside, the sky is still pitch black, but Goatly knows the sun is coming. And with it, the real work begins. Moss Hills steps back into the lounge Moving fast with Robin at his side. They make a beeline for Lorraine, Tracy, and Julian. Moss doesn't waste a second. The bridge is empty. No one's there. We made contact with a container ship, but we need the captain to coordinate with them. Lorraine puts a hand to her forehead. Last time I saw the captain, he was trying to board a lifeboat. I had to drag him back. Other staff said he tried at least two more times and had to be stopped every time. Moss scans the room. He's got to be somewhere. They split up and begin searching. Moss and Robin head downstairs, but they don't get far. Two levels below the lounge, the dining room is already flooding, about 3ft deep. Chairs, trays and linen drift in the rising water. Shaken, they turn and rush back upstairs. The captain has to be above the flooding. Moss and Robin head out onto the main deck toward the pool, and they're tucked beneath a stairwell, sheltered from the wind. They spot him. Captain Avranis is sitting alone in the dark in a deck chair, smoking and staring blankly out to sea. Moss steps forward. Captain, we've reached a nearby container ship. They need to speak with you right away to get our coordinates. The Captain doesn't even look up. It's not necessary for me to talk to them. Moss blinks. Not necessary. He's about to respond, but Robin beats him to it. Sir, we need your help evacuating the ship. This is your duty. At last, the Captain lifts his head. For a moment, Moss thinks maybe he's finally been stirred into action. But the Captain just takes another drag from his cigarette, exhales, and turns his eyes back to the dark sea. Moss and Robin exchange a look. The Captain may still be on board, but he's totally checked out. They truly are on their own. And the fate of the remaining 240passengers now rests in the hands of the ship's entertainers.
- [40:45]
Tracy
If you like, against the odds, you can binge all episodes early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey@wondery.com survey.
- [41:04]
Moss Hills
This is the second episode of our three part series, Rescue off the Wild Coast. A quick note about our scenes. In most cases we can't know exactly what was said, but everything is based on historical research. I'm your host, Cassie Depechel. Steve Fenasey and Rachel Matlow wrote this episode. Sound design by Rob Schieliga. Audio engineer is Sergio Enriquez Original theme music Scott Velasquez and 2K for frees on sync Produced by Alita Rosanski Managing producer is Desi Blaylock Senior managing producer is Kellan Plews Senior producer is Rachel Matlow Executive producers are Jenny Lauer Beckman, Stephanie Jens, Marshall Louis and Erin o' Flaherty. For Wondery.
- [41:58]
Cassie Depechel
You know those creepy stories that give you goosebumps? The ones that make you really question what's real? Well, what if I told you that some of the strangest, darkest and most mysterious stories are not found in haunted houses or abandoned forests, but instead in hospital rooms and doctor's offices? Hi, I'm Mr. Ballin, the host of Mr. Ballin's Medical Mysteries and each week on my podcast you can expect to hear stories about bizarre illnesses no one can explain, miraculous recoveries that shouldn't have happened, and cases so baffling they stumped even the best doctors. So if you crave totally true and thoroughly twisted horror stories and mysteries, Mr. Ballin's medical mysteries should be your new go to weekly show. Listen to Mr. Bolland's Medical Mysteries on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad free right now by joining Wondery in the Wondery app or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.