Real Survival Stories: "Mayday on Christmas: Epic Ocean Rescue"

Episode Overview
In this gripping episode of Real Survival Stories, hosted by John Hopkins, listeners are transported into the harrowing experience of Pete Goss, an English seafarer competing in the Vendee Globe—the world's most challenging solo sailing race. Released on October 2, 2024, the episode delves deep into Pete's journey, the fierce storm that nearly claimed his life, and his courageous decision to rescue a fellow skipper under perilous conditions.

1. Introduction to Pete Goss and the Vendee Globe

Setting the Scene
The episode begins on Christmas Day, 1996, with Pete Goss navigating his yacht, Aqua Quorum, 1,400 miles from land in the Southern Ocean. As he nears the two-month mark of the Vendee Globe, a storm erupts, testing his sailing prowess and survival instincts.

Background of Pete Goss
John Hopkins provides an insightful background into Pete's life, highlighting his deep-rooted connection to the sea. Pete's maritime heritage and experience, including his time with the Royal Marines, laid the foundation for his participation in the Vendee Globe.

Pete Goss (06:23): "I consider myself a Cornishman so the sea tends to get into your blood, but I guess for me my father sailed, my grandfather sailed, my great grandfather was a shipbuilder, so I actually don't remember learning to sail a bit like you don't remember learning to walk."

2. The Onset of the Storm

Rising Tensions
As Pete sails down the west coast of Africa, he remains disciplined despite the Atlantic journey being slower than anticipated. However, looming ahead is the infamous Southern Ocean, known for its relentless storms and treacherous conditions.

Approaching the Tempest
On Christmas Day, Pete observes seemingly calm skies but senses impending danger. The sea's behavior hints at the violent storm brewing beneath the surface.

Pete Goss (18:43): "It's a funny thing. You'll have really quite nice weather, but then underneath it is this big swell, big swell. The distance between the wave tops is just absolutely vast and it's like this malevolent heartbeat just beating out from this thing that's on the way."

3. Battling the Storm

Surviving the Fury
The storm hits with unprecedented ferocity, subjecting Pete and his yacht to towering waves and hurricane-force winds. The Aqua Quorum is battered, and Pete is thrown against the ship's interior, battling both physical injuries and the overwhelming force of nature.

Pete Goss (20:16): "Tying everything down as the wind increases. So you reduce your sails down to literally the size of a domestic door."

System Failures and Mayday Call
Amidst the chaos, Pete's satellite system emits a high-pitched alarm signaling a mayday. He discovers that another racer, Rafael Dinelli aboard the Aljamus, has capsized and is in grave danger, 160 miles away in the same storm.

Pete Goss (04:30): "A mayday means it's a life-threatening situation. If you don't do something, someone's going to lose their life."

4. The Decision to Rescue

Adhering to Maritime Tradition
Faced with the moral dilemma of continuing the race or risking his life to save a fellow sailor, Pete recalls the unwritten code among seafarers—if someone is in trouble, you help them.

Pete Goss (22:48): "The sea is a wonderful thing. And if you're a seafarer, you're drawn to it. You love it. But it's also a very, very hostile environment. And so seafarers have this code, if you like. And that is that if someone's in trouble, then you help them."

Communicating the Rescue Mission
Pete informs his wife, Tracy, about his decision to attempt the rescue, a moment of vulnerability and emotional strain amidst the life-and-death situation.

Pete Goss (22:48): "I just thought, I must tell Tracy, because clearly I could imagine there'd be quite a lot of publicity around this. And I sent her a really quick email. Hi, Trace. I don't know. Happy Christmas. Just to let you know. Don't worry. I'm turning around in a storm."

5. The Rescue Operation

Facing Obstacles
Attempting to approach Rafael's position, Pete battles through the storm to reach the sinking Aljamus. Despite the deteriorating conditions and the vast distance, his determination remains unshaken.

Pete Goss (24:35): "It was so violent that the generator was ripped off its mounts. I was getting damaged and trying to repair that, and that it was flooded back aft where the autopilot system was."

Technological Aids and Human Effort
Pete leverages the innovative swing keel of his Aqua Quorum, enhancing the yacht's stability amidst the chaos, which proves crucial in navigating the storm and locating Rafael.

Pete Goss (26:24): "That was the thing that got us through the storm, because when we got hit by big waves on the side, the boat could just skip sideways, literally."

Spotting Rafael
After enduring 12 brutal hours, a Royal Australian Air Force plane assists in locating the life raft. Pete spots Rafael, pale but alive, and maneuvers his yacht to rescue him.

Pete Goss (33:59): "Just an absolute thrill to see that little life raft pop up. So we know we've got there and then we just didn't know whether it would be empty. Is there a body? Is he badly injured? But the raft then turned and this little head popped up. And that was just amazing. Absolutely amazing."

6. Aftermath and Bonding

Saving Rafael's Life
Successfully rescuing Rafael, Pete attends to his severe hypothermia and injuries, demonstrating remarkable resilience and compassion. The two men bond deeply during their 10-day journey back to Tasmania, overcoming language barriers and shared trauma.

Pete Goss (37:28): "I had to give him muscle relaxants, lift him out of the bunk to the toilet and feed him every four hours. He had this voracious appetite and give him physio. And he was traumatized. You know, talked to him, talk to him and let him get all of this out."

Emotional Reflection
As they near landfall, Pete experiences a profound emotional release, acknowledging the fragility of life and the intensity of their shared ordeal.

Pete Goss (39:54): "I just sat on deck and I'd been through this 247 maelstrom and suddenly was just sat on deck and I had just this quiet moment and it was lovely. I just started crying, not crying like I've ever cried before."

7. Completion of the Race and Recognition

Finishing the Vendee Globe
Despite the immense challenges, Pete completes the race, finishing fifth out of sixteen boats. His heroic actions earn him the Legion d'honneur from France, a testament to his bravery and selflessness.

Pete Goss (45:06): "I don't think Raph gets enough credit for the part that he played in the success of this rescue by simply surviving. I mean, he's an amazing man. That will to live and survive had kept him going until I got there and started making a best friend."

Ongoing Legacy
Pete and Rafael's friendship endures beyond the race, with both men continuing to sail and compete, profoundly influenced by their survival story and the bond forged in the tempest.

Pete Goss (45:45): "Life deep in the Southern ocean, particularly on your own. You really appreciate that life hangs on a very thin and delicate thread and that the cancer of time is complacency. If you want to do something, you must do it now. Pick up the phone, get your notebook out and make it happen. And that's kind of what life is about, I think."

8. Conclusion and Reflection

Lessons Learned
Pete emphasizes the delicate balance between ambition and survival, the importance of preparedness, and the unbreakable human spirit in the face of nature's fury.

Pete Goss (45:06): "That's kind of what life is about, I think."

Looking Ahead
The episode concludes with a teaser for the next story, promising another tale of survival and resilience, this time in the skies with pilot Jonathan Moss.

Key Takeaways

• Resilience and Determination: Pete Goss exemplifies the human capacity to endure extreme adversity and make life-saving decisions under pressure.

• Maritime Tradition and Ethics: The unwritten code among sailors to assist those in distress highlights the deep sense of community and responsibility inherent in seafaring.

• Innovation in Survival: Technological advancements, such as the swing keel, play a crucial role in survival during maritime disasters.

• Friendship and Humanity: The bond formed between Pete and Rafael underscores the profound connections forged in life-threatening situations.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Pete Goss (06:23): "I consider myself a Cornishman so the sea tends to get into your blood..."
• Pete Goss (22:48): "The sea is a wonderful thing. And if you're a seafarer, you're drawn to it..."
• Pete Goss (26:24): "That was the thing that got us through the storm..."
• Pete Goss (33:59): "Just an absolute thrill to see that little life raft pop up..."
• Pete Goss (37:28): "I had to give him muscle relaxants, lift him out of the bunk to the toilet..."
• Pete Goss (39:54): "I just sat on deck and I'd been through this 247 maelstrom..."
• Pete Goss (45:06): "I don't think Raph gets enough credit for the part that he played..."
• Pete Goss (45:45): "Life deep in the Southern ocean, particularly on your own..."

This episode of Real Survival Stories masterfully combines intense firsthand accounts with expert narration, offering listeners an immersive experience of survival, heroism, and the enduring human spirit. Pete Goss's tale serves as a poignant reminder of the thin line between ambition and safety, and the profound impact of choosing humanity over competition.