Real Survival Stories – Typhoon in the Lagoon

Podcast: Real Survival Stories
Host: John Hopkins
Episode Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This gripping episode tells the harrowing true account of Tom Booth, a British cruise director and expert diver, who endured Typhoon Mesak in 2015 while aboard a small tourist yacht in Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia. What began as a tranquil cruise-changeover day turned catastrophic as an unexpected typhoon descended. Tom, his crewmates, and their captain were thrust into a desperate battle against the storm, the sea, and, ultimately, looters. Their survival depended on quick thinking, teamwork, and no small amount of luck.

Major Discussion Points & Key Events

Setting the Scene: Chuuk Lagoon and Tom Booth's Background

• Idyllic Beginnings: Tom describes Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon as "a diver's dream destination... a tropical lagoon in diveable depths with a huge amount of wartime wrecks" (07:35).
• Tom’s Journey to the Sea: Grew up in West Yorkshire, UK. Trained as a diver from age 15. After college, chased adventure via outdoor leadership, martial arts training in Thailand, and dive instruction across Asia and Scotland (08:14–09:45).

The Final Calm: Crew Life and Storm Warning

• Routine Day: Crew is relaxed, prepping the yacht for new guests (11:07).
• First Alarm: News of an approaching storm. Initially described as a "tropical depression"—not immediately alarming to Tom, who’s experienced tough conditions elsewhere (11:47).
• Precautions: Captain Deng moves the yacht for protection; Tom relishes the sense of danger and adventure, admitting, “The thought of being in a weather event did excite me” (12:45).

The Typhoon Strikes

• Morning Tension: By early next day, the wind and rain intensify. The yacht, like others, seeks shelter behind the largest island, Weno (14:52).
• False Sense of Safety: A sudden, eerie calm settles as they enter the typhoon's eye; Tom briefly feels disappointed the storm didn't amount to more—until he learns the true danger is about to return from the opposite direction (17:55–18:59).
  • Quote: “We were pretty much in the eye of the storm. The wind's going to change 180 degrees and come a lot stronger.” – Tom Booth (18:59)
• Mad Dash for Shelter: Scramble to reposition as the wind swings; “It was serious again, and we needed to act” (19:57).

Battle with the Elements

• Engulfed: The wall of the typhoon hits. Visibility disappears, and the yacht is overwhelmed ("a wall of rain and wind hit straight on the bow and the ship juddered. It was a shock." – Tom Booth, 20:32).
• Chaos and Havoc: The crew nearly collides with another vessel—and nearly capsizes—before narrowly avoiding disaster (22:12).
• Desperation: Housekeeping staff are washed across the deck; Tom holds onto a steel support and rescues a crew member by her life jacket (24:44).

The Yacht in Peril

• Mechanical Crisis: The yacht is turned broadside to the wind, flooded, and unable to maneuver. A capsized skiff drags behind them like a sea anchor. Tom, in a wetsuit, uses his dive knife to free the yacht (26:04).
  • Quote: “Just touched my knife to this rope. And the tension in the line, it just parted and snapped... As soon as that went, we felt the vessel turning” – Tom Booth (26:04).
• Adrenaline and Fear: Tom describes his body response, recalling “my knees were doing their knocking trick” (27:14). The crew is terrified—one turns to prayer (27:35).
• Electrical Hazards: Water and chaos make the rigging a live wire, sending electric shocks through the steel frame (28:52).

Catastrophe Hits—Overboard and Overwhelmed

• Close Encounters: Narrowly miss colliding with a large fishing vessel (29:37).
• The Reef: The propeller grinds into coral; the yacht lists nearly horizontally (30:39).
  • Quote: “The propeller sort of bouncing along...the ship started really keeling over.” – Tom Booth (30:39)
• Crew Overboard: Four crewmates are washed out; Tom’s attempt to deploy a life raft fails as the wind snatches it away (31:20–31:36).
• Immediate Triage: Focused on those still aboard, Tom tries to keep non-swimmers and the incapacitated captain safe (32:02).

Disaster Deepens

• Structural Failure: The canvas canopy and steel cables are ripped away with deadly force. The captain, struck by a flailing stay, is knocked unconscious (32:51–34:11).
• Leadership Under Pressure: “There were things to do, there were people to help” – Tom Booth (34:51)
• Improvised Shelter: The remaining crew cram into a small shower room, wedging the captain in for safety, heads kept above water (35:28).

Survival Instincts and Waiting Out the Storm

• Desperate Communications: Tom fires a flare and yells out a Mayday, but knows no help is coming: "The whole of the island had just been devastated by a typhoon" (35:52).
• Relief as Storm Subsides: Eventually, the rain abates and Tom spots mangroves—land and potential salvation (37:04).

The Second Threat—Looters

• False Hope: Locals appear, but instead of rescue, they come to claim the wreck: “I realized...they weren’t coming to help us. They’d struck gold” (38:08).
• Forced to Abandon Ship: Tom grabs crew passports and the logbook. Efforts to resist the looters are futile ("There was no point in endangering people, trying to protect something that essentially wasn't ours." – 39:24).
• Crew Disembarks: A tense, but ultimately nonviolent, escape down the rope ladder with the crew supporting the concussed captain (39:51).

Long Journey to Safety

• Coral March: The survivors slog through chest-deep water and sharp coral to the shore, suffering cuts and exhaustion (40:08).
• Kindness at Last: Locals, themselves devastated by the typhoon, guide the battered crew through the mangroves to a local resort (41:29).
  • Quote: “As we stepped ashore...it became really clear what the typhoon had done to the island. There were trees, substantial, strong tropical trees which had been blown over...” – Tom Booth (41:29)
• Reunion: Miraculously, those washed overboard are safe, having been rescued earlier and awaiting Tom’s group at the resort (42:20).

Immediate Aftermath and Reflection

• Crew Reunited: Tearful, emotional reunion as the trauma starts to process (42:32–42:48).
• Relief and Celebration: Previous trip guests share what they have; the crew, despite having lost everything, are elated to have survived and even celebrate (43:03–43:35).
  • Quote: “We were elated, we were chuffed. We'd survived, we'd been through a real adventure together. And then we had a two day party afterwards." – Tom Booth (43:35)
• Return to the Wreck: Later, Tom inspects the looted and finally burned-out yacht—but holds no grudge: “The people...had their whole lives wrecked...They’d taken from us, but they’d lost a lot more than we had.” (44:11)
• End of a Chapter: An undiagnosed hernia brings a pause to Tom’s diving career, forcing a return to the UK and prompting a new focus on safety and supervision in diving (45:03–46:03).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Facing Nature’s Fury:
  • “I’d experienced rough weather at sea, but nothing compared to what we experienced in Truck. The strength of the wind and being soaking wet is chilling and I was knackered. I was exhausted.” – Tom Booth (01:52)
• Leadership in Crisis:
  • “Earlier when I was completely out of control, the only person who could help us was the captain. I was just stood as a passenger. But at that point, there were things to do, there were people to help.” – Tom Booth (05:58)
• Lessons Learned:
  • “A lot more could have gone wrong that day in Truck. I think having that experience and knowing that things can go wrong very quickly makes you prepare.” – Tom Booth (45:28)
• Survival Mindset:
  • “We're lucky. Captain did his absolute utmost to keep us safe as long as possible... What kept us safe? Luck, mate. I think.” – Tom Booth (46:44)
• Emotional Release:
  • “We hugged our colleagues. Two crew members absolute in hysterics. They broke down. I think they've been holding it together really well all day.” – Tom Booth (42:48)

Key Timestamps

• 07:35 – 09:45: Tom describes his background, wanderlust, and eventual posting in Chuuk Lagoon
• 14:52 – 16:54: First signs of the storm, preparations, and anxiety on board
• 17:55 – 19:57: Realization they are in the eye of the typhoon, frantic scramble to move the yacht
• 20:32 – 22:12: Storm returns, chaos on deck, near-miss with another vessel
• 24:44 – 27:35: Water sweeps crew, desperate actions, and emotional responses
• 30:39 – 32:23: Yacht grinds along the reef, crew overboard, failed life raft deployment
• 32:51 – 34:51: Canopy tears loose, captain incapacitated, Tom’s sense of duty
• 35:28 – 36:15: Crew sheltering in the shower room, Mayday and flare
• 38:08 – 39:51: Looters arrive, the crew forced to abandon ship
• 41:29 – 42:32: Wading to shore, rescued by helpful locals, joyful reunion with overboard crew
• 45:28 – 46:44: Reflections on safety, luck, and the future

Structure & Tone

The episode is immersive, vividly narrated in a calm but suspenseful style by John Hopkins. Tom Booth’s voice is often stoic, sometimes wry, and always matter-of-fact about danger and leadership under pressure. The show maintains a respectful, serious tone while allowing emotional moments and understated humor to shine through Tom’s recollections.

Summary Takeaways

• Typhoon in the Lagoon is a powerful reminder of the unpredictability and majesty of nature, the importance of teamwork and presence of mind, and the thin line between adventure and catastrophe.
• Tom Booth’s experience led to deep changes in his approach to risk and safety—proof that surviving disaster leaves lessons that last a lifetime.
• Despite the violence of the storm and the subsequent loss, the enduring emotion is gratitude—for survival and for those who endured it together.

For listeners or readers wanting to witness the raw edge of human resilience and leadership in a life-or-death crisis, this is essential listening.