Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Sinking Cargo Ship: Adrift Without a Lifejacket" from the podcast Real Survival Stories, host John Hopkins delves into the harrowing true tale of Sheena Levitt, a young cook and deckhand who finds herself thrust into a life-or-death situation aboard the MV Who Ness, a small cargo ship navigating the tumultuous waters of the English Channel in September 1974. This detailed recounting captures Sheena's journey from a seasoned mariner to a sole survivor battling the unforgiving sea.

Early Life and Background

Sheena Levitt's story begins with her introduction as a resilient young woman navigating a male-dominated maritime industry. At just 20 years old, Sheena has already amassed significant life experience. "I think it made me strong because you had to stand your ground," Sheena reflects at [07:00], highlighting how her perseverance earned her respect among her crew. Her adventurous spirit was shaped early on; at 17, she left a strict household—where her father was a high-ranking army officer—to seek excitement and freedom on the seas with her then-husband, Paul.

The Voyage Begins

By September 1974, Sheena and Paul, along with their crewmate David from New Zealand, are aboard the MV Who Ness, embarking on a routine 70-mile voyage from London to Guernsey. The mood on board is optimistic despite overcast skies, as Sheena recalls at [10:25], "We loved going to Guernsey and we wanted to be there for the weekend so we could have a weekend of fun." However, Sheena harbors a lingering unease, captured poignantly at [11:56], "I had a premonition that something was going to happen and I've never had that in my life before."

The Storm

As the ship sails past Dover, weather conditions begin to deteriorate unexpectedly. At [15:54], Sheena voices her fears: "The weather had blown up again, the weather had got worse and I started to get frightened." Despite her apprehensions, Paul decides to press on, a choice that ultimately leads them into the heart of a severe storm. As the tempest intensifies, Sheena battles seasickness and mounting dread, while Paul maintains a stoic facade until the situation becomes overwhelmingly dire.

The Sinking

The storm reaches its zenith early morning on September 4, 1974, with colossal waves battering the MV Who Ness. At [19:08], Sheena describes the chaos: "One minute we were on top of a roller, the next minute you just plow down into the depths of the sea." The ship's structure begins to fail as water breaches the hold, leading to uncontrollable flooding. Sheena recounts the frantic moments when the life raft fails to inflate and the desperation that follows: "Paul tried to turn the ship round but it wouldn't respond because there was just not enough power there against the waves."

Adrift in the Sea

With the ship sinking rapidly, Sheena, Paul, and David are forced to abandon ship. Despite their efforts to deploy the life raft, it malfunctions, leaving Sheena thrust into the icy waters alone. She vividly describes her ordeal: "I thought my lungs were going to burst. I thought I was going to have to breathe in some water," at [28:57]. Struggling to stay afloat without a lifejacket, Sheena fears she may never see her crewmates again.

Struggle for Survival

Miraculously, Sheena spots Paul struggling nearby. Together, they navigate the treacherous waves, aided by David's heroic intervention. Sheena credits David's bravery for their survival: "I think he saved our lives," at [31:57]. The trio manages to secure the life raft, but their ordeal is far from over. Adrift in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, they face the grim possibility of being overlooked by rescue vessels. Sheena's resourcefulness shines as she uses brown paper to insulate themselves against the biting cold: "I made us all, the three of us, put brown paper on our arms, on our bodies, everywhere we could, just to try and keep us warm," at [34:12].

Rescue

After enduring a full day adrift with dwindling hope, the trio's persistence pays off when a massive container ship spots their life raft. Despite initial setbacks with their flare signals being ineffective, they finally catch the attention of the freighter. As Sheena describes the rescue, "Paul grabs the box of flares... we saw David poke his head out of the opening on the life raft," at [32:32]. Climbing onto the deck of the towering vessel is a daunting task, but with sheer determination, Sheena, Paul, and David make it safely aboard, marking the end of their immediate struggle for survival.

Aftermath and Reflections

Upon returning to England, Sheena continues her life with resilience and newfound strength. She reflects on the impact of her ordeal, stating, "If you've got the strength and will to do it, you can do it," at [43:03]. The experience has instilled in her an unshakable confidence, enabling her to navigate life's challenges with grace. Despite the trauma, Sheena's adventurous spirit remains undiminished, as she continues to embrace life's unpredictability.

Conclusion

Sheena Levitt's story is a testament to human endurance and the will to survive against all odds. Through vivid narration and poignant reflections, Real Survival Stories offers an immersive glimpse into one woman's extraordinary journey from the brink of death to triumphant survival. This episode not only underscores the unpredictability of nature but also celebrates the indomitable spirit that lies within us all.

Notable Quotes

• Sheena Levitt at [02:07]:

  "Terrible weather, wreckage everywhere. You can imagine with these huge rollers, these huge waves, bits of wood crashing down, and they're heavy. So if one of those hits you, that would probably be the end of you."

• Sheena Levitt at [03:03]:

  "And I thought, oh my God, I hope I'm not on my own. I was so frightened of being alone and even to the extent I thought, well, if I'm on my own, what do I do? How do I survive?"

• Sheena Levitt at [07:00]:

  "Good as I got. But I also think that it made me, it made me strong because you had to stand your ground."

• Sheena Levitt at [34:12]:

  "I made us all, the three of us, put brown paper on our arms, on our bodies, everywhere we could, just to try and keep us warm."

• Sheena Levitt at [43:03]:

  "I think it's remarkable how the mind can overcome these issues and move forward. If you've got the strength and will to do it, you can do it."

Production Credits

This episode of Real Survival Stories is hosted by John Hopkins and produced by Joel Duddell, Ed Baranski, Luke Lonergan, Miri Latham, Jacob Booth, Liam Cameron, Rob Plummer, Cian Ryan-Morgan, and Cody Reynolds-Shaw. The musical compositions are by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, and Tom Pink.

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