Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense

My apologies for not publishing in a while; life has been insanely busy.  Jim Peacock is a hippie fisherman who has some great stories to share (storms, close calls, the hippie and fishing life).  He also has been a major part of the Pacific Northwest wooden boat world, and you will hear my shock and excitement in the interview as I learn that I am actually talking to someone who helped create a wooden boat culture that has lasted decades and will probably outlast us all! Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

Sometimes you meet people with whom you have an instant rapport.  That is how it felt interviewing Bill Larsen in this episode.  Bill was a Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Chief and the whole time I spoke to him it felt like talking to an old shipmate.  I learned a lot during the interview about subs, the mentality of submariners, life under the water, and so much more.  I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

Pelayo and I met while sailing and working on the world's largest Viking ship the "Draken".  Pelayo is an incredibly intelligent, funny and talented human being, and I am sure the joy we had in getting caught up came out in our conversation.  Our chat took us from our meeting in Norway, to the time he survived a demasting aboard the Draken, to fun times on the Hawaiian Chieftain when we sailed together on the west coast of the US.  Ever the character and oh so dashing, Pelayo is a very good example of a delightful old shipmate.  The Draken's Website: https://www.drakenhh.com/ Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

This is the first episode where I get to really talk about what life was like during Covid for many of our sailors in the US Navy.  It's very interesting hearing about all the difficulties and problems faced by Kyle while quarantined on his ship, and how they were dealt with.  My apologies for not releasing this sooner, but one of the topics brought up in the interview was the tragic shooting down of Iranian Flight 655 in the 80s.  I got lost heading down a rabbit hole and looking up hundreds of pages of documents and reports on that topic.  It's a complicated event and time, and I think I must leave it at that for now.  I hope you find the rest of the conversation between me and Kyle interesting and entertaining. If nothing else, we certainly cover a wide variety of topics!   BBC Article and Video on the Shooting Down of Iran Flight 655- https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-44614512    BBC Documentary on the Shooting Down of Iran Flight 655 (Part 1 of 3)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onk_wI3ZVME    USS Texas: USN vessel that flooded some of it's holds to increase it's gun elevation- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Texas_(BB-35)#D-Day   Greyhound- A 2020 Film starring Tom Hanks as a destroyer captain protecting an Atlantic convoy during WWII.  The perfect counter point to "Das Boot".  The Last Ship- A series mentioned in our interview with at least one episode featuring Kyle's ship.   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

In this episode I talk about "backseat captaining" and why I can't stand it.  I go through numerous reasons why I think it's bad, and give suggestions on better ways to critique or help other captains and mariners out there.  I go through my personal thoughts on how best to navigate The Rules of the Road, as well as my thoughts on what went wrong and led up to the Elbe 5 colliding with a container ship (Pictured in the cover art) Videos and Links mentioned in the episode: Elbe 5 just before collision- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXrTvVh4NOs Bulk Carrier grounding in Burlington, NJ-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPpd6seS14 "Super Yacht Captain" video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnd7RpMmF0s&t=662s Link to the book "One Minute Guide to Nautical Rules of the Road"- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-minute-guide-to-the-nautical-rules-of-the-road-charlie-wing/1100553818 Video of HMS Rose/Surprise crashing (Note: apparently one has to subscribe to see it now)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLCOnFc7eIA   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

Jordan Smith is a semi-professional racer and a tallship captain.  Our conversation ranges all over the place, but actually starts with COVID (which might be a first for my interviews, for I think it's only been mentioned in passing before).  We also talk sailing, leadership, tallships and history.  Jordan mentions a historical fiction novel he is working on, so be on the look-out for that in the future!  Lastly, there are definitely some funny parts in the interview such as:  his description of Keywest as the largest open-air insane asylum in the world; the dumbest things tourists have asked us; and the cuban refugees who supposedly made it to the US on a floating monster truck!! Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com  

Robert Armer is the first person I have interviewed who has dedicated his adult life to a career in the US Navy. He is a gifted story teller and has had first hand experience with many changes in the US Navy over the past few decades.  He got to see the ships transition from all-male crews to mixed gender crews, and he was also present when the Navy went from peacetime to wartime during the post 9-11 years.  We only scratch the surface of his career and what he has experienced, but I found my brief time with him to be captivating.  I hope to have more interviews with him in the future. Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

Steve Bennet is a wonderful person who followed my ship and crew for a few months and quickly became a family friend.  He has had absolutely incredible life adventures!  In this interview we mostly focus on his first and second years working on boats in Alaska, but we also range all over the place in our stories.  In the end we do discuss some serious medical information that every grown man (and every woman with a stubborn man) should know, although we start out with something less serious, namely the time that Steve shot himself in the hand!   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

In this episode I got to talk to Brandon F.  Brandon makes historical Youtube videos that have received millions of views!  Several of them also have nautical themes and so we discuss that as well as possible future maritime-related videos.  We also go on a few funny historical rants, and just in general have a great conversation!  He absolutely did not have to do this interview (especially as he was just a few hours from catching a plane to England and had not yet packed!) but he did so and for that I am very thankful. Brandon Youtube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/c/BrandonF  Brandon's website:  https://www.nativeoak.org/  Brandon's "What does a musket really sound like?" video, mentioned in the episode:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS1NDMN9Gnw  Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

In this very fun and funny interview with my old shipmate Liz Dal Bon (featured in the Valentines Day Special, Episode 17) we sit down and have a delightful clash of cultures in a way that only two old shipmates can.  We delve into her back ground and what got her into boats, and we have some really great story swapping back and forth.  We go deep covering boat safety, history, and philosophy, but we also have fun covering such non-nautical topics as Cast Iron, Kombucha, and Gut Bioms... and she also introduced me to ASMRs... which sadly I can't explain and just have to be experienced... I am sorry to say.  I edited most (but not all of them) out of this interview... you're welcome. :) The Wharram Catamaran Website mentioned in the episode: https://www.wharram.com/  Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

Jamie was featured in the "Valentines Day Special" (Episode 17), where he got poked fun of quite a bit and took it very well.  In this episode we get into Jamie's unique upbringing sailing around the world on a "catamaran" (Actually, technically a "double canoe").  We also get into our experiences on the viking ship the Sea Stallion, and some of the fun and craziness that ensued there.  You will probably notice that Jamie and I are two very different people with differing opinions and world views, and yet we are very comfortable in each others presence and able to poke fun at each other in a good-humored way.  Ours is a bond that was born of a 6 week journey from Ireland to Denmark on a viking ship, and it transcends such trivial differences. The Wharram Catamaran Website mentioned in the episode: https://www.wharram.com/  Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr  

My first celebrity interview!  Steven Ladd was nice enough to let me interview him about the two books he wrote.  They are about the incredible adventures he as been on.  One was his solo voyage for 3 years on a 12 foot boat of his own design and making.  The other was with him and his now wife and new born baby on an insanely small boat.  Steven pays me a huge complement in this interview, because I am apparently the only person to have ever asked him about his poetry.  His response is emotional, heartfelt and personal.  I hope everyone enjoys hearing about his amazing journeys and life. Stephen's boats are "Squeak" in the first voyage and "Thurston" in the second. Stephen's website is... https://www.stephen-ladd.com/ His WWII Marine Uncle's Book, which is brought up in the interview is...  "Faithful Warriors" by Lt. Col Dean Ladd. Stephen's Poem read in the interview... Rowing, rowing on the roof, of a world that's made of water- Who are they below who raise their heads as at the sky? They who ask me of the land, "Does a falling tree where no ears hears still make a crashing sound?" I answer: "Without me do searocks still bare like teeth? the ocean suck and seethe? oh! and under do your talons still yearn to stave and scratch?" They say: "We hear pf handsome Indian boys like Captain Cook's Hawaiians, thick of chest, strong of arm, open-faced and new, born of the sea, born of me, tell me, is it true? And I: "It's true that giants walk the land with giant steps, and fire burns that never can deep down within your depths, but tell me now where sleeps the serpent of black and yellow stripes who swims your sea along with me and when I call him, dives?" But they unkown can only ask, so on I row and wonder, at seacaves crashing black inside, and pelicans in diagonal, in my sky above theirs.      

Just a quick message to fans of the show as to why I haven't been able to post weekly for the past few weeks and also a few hints about some exciting future episodes coming up!

Such an awesome interview!  So much fun and such natural back and forth sailor banter!  We talk about the crazy roleplaying that happens on boats, the illegal stealing and subsequent recovery of his boat "Lumpy Space Princess", as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers, Japanese gift-giving culture, tallship pranks, an epic west coast storm which he and his crew survived and more. Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr    

Before the sinking of the Titanic the most well-known tragedy at sea was about the whaling ship Essex.  If you have never heard of this story then you must listen to this episode, and if you have heard the story, I would still recommend you listen to this episode.  In it I give you my perspective as a sailor and captain of tallships, and I hope it will give people who are knowledgeable of the events some new ideas and information to reflect on.  Books Used for Source Material: "In the Heart of the Sea" by Nathaniel Philbrick and also "The Whalers" from the Time Life book series The Seafarers. Podcast Referenced in the Episode: Bradley Hall's "Beyond the Harbor" podcast.  https://www.braddhall.com/episodes  SPECIAL Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "Arran Boat Song", specifically track 3.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

An old friend and incredible character, Christian and I get caught up and have a very candid conversation about surfing, big waves, sharks, and psychedelic drugs.  Also, Christian worked at the night club in Bali that was the site of the worst terrorist attack in Australian history, and is very open about his perspective there. Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

Barry King sails the engineless Maine Windjammer Schooner the "Mary Day".  A former captain of mine and very influential person in my tallship career, Barry and I talk about what led him to the Mary Day, finding one's "home" or "path" in life, some leadership and boat lessons that can save your life, and what makes the Maine Windjammer fleet so incredibly unique in the world.  Hopefully by the end you will want to be packing your bags for a wonderful, nostalgic, music-and-lobster-filled vacation aboard his schooner!!     Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

I got to sit down with two other captains (Tom Rogers and Ken Lazarus) to talk all about the Sea Scouts program in Tacoma WA.  Tom was the star of the show with over 60 years experience working with the Sea Scouts.  We talk all about the program and the life-long impact it has on so many.  We also talk about "running a fathom line" for navigation, how to memorize the signal flags and their meaning (you will never in a million years forget the "Whiskey" flag after listening to this episode!) as well as the state of the youth today (Tom's answer might surprise you). Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

Preston is one of my closest and funniest old shipmates and in this interview we go deep.  Here is some of what is semi-soberly discussed: wooden boats having more of a spirit than boats made from other materials, the time I was hitchhiking in Japan and briefly became part of a Shinto Priest group, lots of boat maintenance lessons (pro-tip... the only thing worse than painting yourself into a corner is painting yourself into the headrig!), and how Preston used nautical knowledge to keep himself safe when going through the worst part of Oakland at 3:00 in the morning. Also, here is a link to Preston's Disneyland Train Simulator Video Game he made which we mention in the episode... https://ckhollidayplans.com/  Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

On the day after his promotion I got to interview Commander Carl Rhodes of the NOAA Corps.  It was a real pleasure to interview the person who nearly drove off the road from laughing so hard at some of my earlier episodes! (Thankfully he did not; think of the disclaimer!) :)  Anyhow, we had a great interview and by the end I honestly was considering leaving everything to go join the NOAA Corps!  As always we cover a wide range of topics, but after listening to this interview you should have an good understanding of the NOAA Corps and it's missions, what it's like to be on a vessel in Arctic and Antarctic voyages, and why you should NEVER EVER let a family member poke a 5,000 pound elephant seal even if they think it is dead!! Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr  

Jenny Storm and I share some of the funniest stories of my tallship career as well as some some scary close-calls!  We delve into the many aspects of boat life from steering, shipmates, and singing, to cooks, cooking and chores.  We also bring up our geekier sides, discussing reenacting and LARPing and how this is becoming more and more popular.  An all around joyful interview.   For those of you interested in learning more about LARPing, please check out the short video my wife made on the subject.  I think perfectly captures the silliness and yet magic of it all.  https://vimeo.com/148816599    Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr  

Happy Valentines Day everyone!  Please enjoy this hilarious and fun-loving interview with me, my wife Megan, and two old shipmates Jamie and Liz.  We try to stick to what it's like to be a couple on boats (the good and the bad), but the conversation definitely also touches on a lot of... well, let's just say "screw ups" and there's some swearing involved... Enjoy!!   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr  

A successful former teenage mother who single-handedly raised a successful son in a very alternative lifestyle, Greta shares not only her liveaboard world but also how she was able to overcome the many hardships she faced.  In this interview (recorded on Greta's boat) we cover many topics: diagnosing engine failures, how to rescue someone in heavy winds, the beauty and interesting features of the California Channel Islands, the time she mutinied and took command of another boat, how to live on a boat with your teenage son and get him to do the laundry (Parents, it's the best advice you will ever get!), and so much more! Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr  

This interview shows the positive effects old shipmates can unknowingly have in each other's lives.  In this interview Ethan learns that he was directly responsible for the place and manner in which I proposed to my now wife.  And I learn that his time on tallships with me directly influenced his decision and ability to work and live in Antarctica.  This interview is loaded with detailed talk and descriptions of boat handling for docking, funny crew stories, as well as my favorite puke story, my worst accident as captain (which luckily wasn't that bad and turned out to be the best thing ever in the long run), storms and rouge waves, Japanese Tsunami wreckage on the US West Coast and much much more!! Bonus:  Go to http://nknshow.com/ and see a bunch of photos pertaining to this episode! Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr  

Retired elementary teacher turned sailor, Mark was mentioned in last week's episode (#12) as the fellow who got me into contra dancing.  My former landlord turned sailor after hanging out with my old shipmates on my bachelor party, he has had a wild and wide-ranging retirement.  From sailing on viking ships and a pinnace to adventures on enormous European tallships, he shows no signs of slowing down and going gracefully into swallowing the anchor! BTW:  In this episode you will get to hear me get completely flustered over my inability to remember what the acronym STCW actually stands for.  To spare you my pain it is...  Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping... I have already forgiven myself.  :) Bonus:  Below is a picture of the tattoos Mark was mentioning getting in the interview.   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr  

A review of an excellent book that has saved my back on more than one occasion!  In this episode you will get a hint of the wisdom and practical knowledge offered by this book, as well as my real-life (and sometimes embarrassing) stories of moving heavy things, mostly from my time on the Viking longships the Sea Stallion and Draken, and also on the schooner Mary Day in Maine.     Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com 

A very pleasant, informative interview, and a must listen for boaters who sail in waters with tugboats!  Megan and I discuss her Alaskan background, what got her into tug boats, and some of the near misses and not-so-near misses that occur when pushing tens of thousands of tons of barges.  We get into what everyday life and work is like on continually operating Columbia River Tugs and even touch on some environmental issues towards the end.   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

A fun and progressively less-sober interview with tugboat worker and old shipmate Crazy Ivan.  In addition to his patented method of sailing under bridges at high tide that he technically should not be able to clear, we also talk about pranks, boat handling, sea stowing, rough seas, dive bars, D&D, life as a live-aboard at anchor, shanghaiing barmaids and much more.  Tongues loosen up towards the end, so expect some swearing from some silly, stereotypical sailors!    Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com  My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

The story of the little known, yet legendary Jim Patillo.  A Glouster fisherman of incredible strength, he lived a wild and rough life.  Here are just a few of his stories that will have you wondering why more people have never heard of this maritime figure. Book Used for Source Material: "Bear of the Sea" by Joseph E. Garland   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

Steve was at my side in the worst seas I have ever been in!  We talk about this and what was one of the wildest times I ever had on tallships.  It wasn't just the seas, but also the colorful cast of characters on the ship!  There are many funny stories, nerve-wracking moments, exploding inter-personal drama, and numerous sailor and seamanship lessons learned (often in the sense of "Don't do this!") which helped me when I later became a captain.  Despite everything, both Steve and I agree, we would do it all again in a heartbeat!   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

John Gandy had a military and civilian maritime career, and now (when not sailing) spends his time restoring old vessels and keeping history alive.  In this interview John discusses in detail, little-known vessel handling techniques as well as interesting, little-known navigational aid knowledge.  Our conversation also delves into his career, history, sailors' superstition, torpedoes, cruise missiles, our vessel (the AJ Meerwald) and other topics.   Books mentioned in the Episode include...  "The Last of the Tin Can Sailors" by James D. Hornfisher "Black Jacks" by W. Jeffery Bolster. "The Indispensables" (About the Marble head Mass. Regiment) by Patrick K. O'Donnell   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

In this episode I DO NOT sing any sea shanties NOR do I talk about the different types of sea shanties, their history, etc.  Rather, this episode is about my experience with and celebrating people coming together to share and sing songs (which include sea shanties of course).  I talk about the timelessness of singing together, my experience with it, how it's been lost in modern time but could be revived again, and how getting a group singing together can lead to a lot of free beer!! Mentioned in this episode: Shantyman David Lovine: He has made excellent music and is worth looking up and supporting. Book, "Astoria" by Peter Stark.  This book wonderfully fills in the historical-knowledge-gap of most Americans between the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Oregon Trail.  Definitely worth reading and knowing.  Has some absolutely epic stories with regards to nautical history!!   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

I sit down with the man, the legend, Leon Brooks.  An Aikido Master, Sci-Fi Enthusiast, Professional Reenactor and Tallship Sailor; our discussion touches on African and African American maritime history, sea sickness, washing blood off decks, aikido, reenacting, Sci-fi, his first time being a "STARSHIP" captain with his crew, and more.                                      BONUS MATERIALS!!  (Pictures of Leon and things mentioned in the episode) at...  http://nknshow.com/   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

A survivor of the sinking of the HMS Bounty replica during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.  Josh recounts his harrowing experiences before, during and after the hurricane and the sinking of his ship.  We wrap up with some of Josh's suggestions for practical, extreme-weather survival gear from his survivor's perspective and end on a happy note with his incredible first date with his now wife!   Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow   Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!    bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr 

A wonderfully joyful interview with one of my dearest old shipmates.  Jenny and I talk about "The Family" which was our first crew on the Lady Washington.  Her first experiences on boats and how they can be indirectly traced back to the Playboy Mansion Halloween Party!  We also recount fun parties, life-changing events and decisions on the ships.  And lastly, she surprises my with a revelation that made me blush! Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!  bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

My first solo episode where I review the movie Master and Commander, and also review the Patrick O' Brian novels, all from a tallship captain/sailor's perspective.  If you've never heard of this movie or the books, then you must listen and learn why people love them! If you are already a big fan, hopefully my review will help give you a different and possibly fuller perspective on the movie and books. Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow  Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!   bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

Michael Tolley is a Columbia River Bar Pilot, which is one of the most dangerous and stressful maritime jobs in the world!  In this interview we talk not only about his work but also his colorful career including the time he got stranded in the desert in Kuwait, got attacked by pirates... twice, and how he rescued several hundred Syrian refugees. Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow  Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN   And I also accept Bitcoin!  bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr

The maiden voyage of Nautical Knowledge and Nonsense! Two old shipmates and I recount our crazy sailor stories and times together during our first days sailing.  Everything from the most embarrassing (and in hind-sight hilarious) day in West Coast tallship history, to the most epic seasickness sail ever, to having a woman die in my arms. This was our first recording and we were learning, so please forgive occasional thumps, bangs and yelling toddlers in the back ground. Also, towards the 2nd half of the episode we really loosen up, so be warned, there is some swearing, but we are sailors so what do you expect?! Intro/Ending Music: Many thanks to Riggy Rackin for allowing the use of music from his Nauticas album. The intro and ending themes are the sailor song "A Roving", specifically track 1.  Learn more or order his music at www.riggy.com    My Children's Books:  "The Greatest Captain in the World" and "The Greatest Captain in the World Too" are available on Amazon or directly from me at...  www.greatestcaptain.com     Please support me at... Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/NKNshow Or via Paypal  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=PTYG3GDRKYWKN  And I also accept Bitcoin!  bitcoin:bc1qjg3ckh0qqva7fuarc7dwe224gwnmn0k3l5hlvr    

A brief message for first-time listeners on what to expect and get from the podcast.  

A quick trailer to give you an idea about what to expect from this podcast.