Summary of "Deborah Scaling Kiley: Lost at Sea" – The Moth Podcast

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Moth
• Host: The Moth
• Episode: Deborah Scaling Kiley: Lost at Sea
• Release Date: March 22, 2010

Overview: In this gripping episode of The Moth, Deborah Scaling Kiley recounts her harrowing experience of surviving a near-fatal shipwreck and shark attack. Her story, told live at the Players Club in New York City on July 15, 2009, under the theme "Dial M for Moth thriller stories," immerses listeners in the terrifying and exhilarating journey of survival against the odds.

1. Setting the Stage

Deborah Scaling Kiley begins by sharing her background and the circumstances leading up to her ill-fated voyage. Having achieved significant milestones in sailing, including being the first American woman to sail around the world in the Whitbird Around the World race and leading the first all-female maxi boat across the Atlantic, Kiley felt the pull of the ocean despite facing personal challenges.

Deborah Scaling Kiley [02:40]: "Everything was great but fall was coming and I was living in a pup tent in Bar Harbor, Maine, with a waitress job at Bubba's with $3.18 in my pocket."

2. Assembling the Crew

Facing financial strains and a longing to return to the sea, Kiley sought crew members for her southern voyage. Her journey to secure a crew leads her to John Lipoff, a seasoned sailor, and subsequent interactions introduce other key members: Brad Cavanaugh and Mark Adams. The camaraderie and initial optimism set the stage for the impending challenges.

Kiley [04:45]: "We would set sail very soon after that, but I decided I needed to call my mom and tell her what I was doing for some unbeknownst reason."

3. The Beginning of the Voyage

The crew sets sail from Maine to Florida on a beautiful day, establishing their routine and watches. Initial days are smooth, but signs of trouble begin to emerge as navigation issues and changing weather patterns hint at the danger ahead.

Kiley [07:30]: "The weather started building and it just kept getting a little bit worse and a little bit worse."

4. The Storm Hits

By the third day, the crew faces a severe gale with 35-foot waves and 50-knot winds. Chaos ensues as equipment fails, members become incapacitated, and the situation rapidly deteriorates. Kiley emphasizes the mounting desperation and the crew's struggle to maintain control.

Kiley [10:15]: "Mark is howling, drunk with a beer in his hand. Meg has fallen across the cabin, hurt her back."

5. Attempted Rescue and Further Destruction

John Lipoff decides to call the Coast Guard, leading to a fleeting hope as a plane briefly appears before returning to the storm. Exhausted, Kiley and Brad attempt to rest, only to awaken to their vessel sinking. The realization of imminent danger propels Kiley into immediate action as she witnesses the first signs of the boat's demise.

Kiley [13:50]: "I make it up the gangway, go up. I look out, expecting to see the Coast Guard or the ships that were sent to standby, and there's nothing except for this incredibly ferocious, tumultuous, looming, unforecast hurricane."

6. Survival in the Zodiac Dinghy

Stranded in the rubber Zodiac dinghy amid a tempest, Kiley details the grueling 18-hour ordeal of treading water, combating dehydration, and enduring physical injuries. The discovery of sargasso weed provides temporary insulation, while the crew grapples with internal conflicts and the threat of shark attacks.

Kiley [16:20]: "We held on and breathed in the space between the surface of the ocean and the bottom of the Zodiac dinghy."

7. Shark Attacks and Tragedy

The tension escalates as sharks begin to surface, leading to the tragic loss of crew members. Kiley vividly describes the chaos and fear during the attacks, capturing the stark reality of their struggle for survival.

Kiley [19:05]: "We saw these torpedo-shaped bodies slithering. And all of a sudden one goes bam. And I'm like, sharks."

8. The Final Hours and Rescue

As exhaustion and despair take hold, the remaining crew members endure the relentless assault of sharks and the psychological toll of their circumstances. Miraculously, after enduring multiple days at sea, Kiley and Brad are rescued by a Russian freighter, bringing an end to their nightmare.

Kiley [20:30]: "All I can tell you now is that I learned the greatest lesson of a lifetime. I learned that I was strong enough to survive."

9. Reflections and Lessons Learned

Concluding her story, Kiley reflects on the profound lessons gained from her ordeal. She underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of maintaining hope and solidarity in the face of life-threatening adversity.

Kiley [21:00]: "I was given a job by God, and my job is to keep the miracle of survival alive."

Conclusion

Deborah Scaling Kiley's riveting narrative serves as a testament to human endurance and the will to survive against insurmountable odds. Her detailed account not only captures the physical challenges faced during the shipwreck but also delves into the emotional and psychological battles that define true survival stories.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Kiley [02:40]: "I was living in a pup tent in Bar Harbor, Maine, with a waitress job at Bubba's with $3.18 in my pocket."
• Kiley [04:45]: "But marriage was mother's solution to everything."
• Kiley [07:30]: "The weather started building and it just kept getting a little bit worse and a little bit worse."
• Kiley [10:15]: "Mark is howling, drunk with a beer in his hand. Meg has fallen across the cabin, hurt her back."
• Kiley [13:50]: "There's nothing except for this incredibly ferocious, tumultuous, looming, unforecast hurricane."
• Kiley [16:20]: "We held on and breathed in the space between the surface of the ocean and the bottom of the Zodiac dinghy."
• Kiley [19:05]: "We saw these torpedo-shaped bodies slithering. And all of a sudden one goes bam. And I'm like, sharks."
• Kiley [20:30]: "I learned that I was strong enough to survive."
• Kiley [21:00]: "I was given a job by God, and my job is to keep the miracle of survival alive."

About Deborah Scaling Kiley: Deborah Scaling Kiley is an accomplished author and public speaker, known for her book Sinner and her expertise in survival storytelling. Her experiences and insights offer invaluable lessons on resilience and overcoming adversity.

This detailed summary encapsulates the key events, emotions, and lessons from Deborah Scaling Kiley's riveting story on The Moth podcast, providing an engaging and comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.