Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation with Commodore (Retd) Richard Farrington CBE on The Sailing Podcast (Episode 20).

In this final half, Richard steps into his role with the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust. We dive deep into the breathtaking, forgotten history of WWII’s Night Hunters, the volunteer yachties and fishermen who manned wooden 'floating bombs' at 40 knots in the dark. Richard shares the unbelievable exploits of legendary figures like Mickey Wynn (who ended up in Colditz) and Robert Hitchens, the most decorated RNVR officer of all time.

Then, the conversation turns to blue water cruising. Richard shares with host, Theo Stocker, how he and his wife Julie decided to 'outrun the grim reaper' upon retirement, purchasing their Oyster and completing a massive 40,000-mile Atlantic circuit.

From the challenges of maintaining a dark blue hull to island-hopping through Cuba, New York Harbour, and Nova Scotia, Richard shares invaluable, real-world advice for anyone dreaming of proper long-distance passage making.

⚓ Enjoyed the two-part special? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more sailing masterclasses!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a very special, two-part edition of The Sailing Podcast with host Theo Stocker. In Episode 19 (Part 1), we are on board the beautiful Oyster 485 Escapade of Reim in Gosport with her owner, Commodore (Retd) Richard Farrington CBE.

Over a distinguished 36-year career in the Royal Navy, Richard commanded everything from wooden mine hunters to massive fleet flotillas. In this gripping first instalment, Richard takes us behind the scenes of precision ship handling, the evolution of maritime technology, and his fascinating time on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy.

But the heart of this episode centres on one fateful night in the middle of the Tasman Sea — the terrifying grounding of the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham.

Richard vividly recounts the exact moment the ship struck rock at 25 knots, the absolute bedlam of the bridge alarms, and what he calls the "spin-dryer effect" as the ocean threatened to tear his ship apart. Learn how a tight-knit crew, manual steering overrides, and a helicopter's compass kept 260 souls from sinking into the dark.

🔔 This is Part 1 of a truly unmissable two-part story. Hit Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss Part 2 next week!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 18 of The Sailing Podcast, host Theo Stocker sits down aboard the iconic Suhaili with a man who needs no introduction: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE. He is arguably the greatest sailor of all time.

As the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world (1968 Golden Globe Race), Sir Robin changed offshore racing forever. In this exclusive chat, he reflects on his legendary master mariner background, shares harrowing stories of surviving the Southern Ocean, and explains why he donated his prize money to Donald Crowhurst’s family.

We also dive into his fiery defence against the myth that sailing is an 'elite' sport, the creation of Clipper Ventures, and an insider look at the brand-new Clipper fleet being built.

⚓ Subscribe for more sailing stories, and don't forget to like and share!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Picture this: It's a dark, wet evening in Salcombe. A massive 40-foot cruising yacht pulls up to the pontoon, and the skipper is screaming at his terrified teenage kids because they cleated a line wrong. The holiday is ruined, the crew is miserable, and the skipper is utterly disappointed in himself. How do we avoid becoming that grumpy, overwhelmed dad?

Welcome to The Sailing Podcast, sponsored by Sunsail. This week host, Theo Stocker and his guest. Justin Morton talk about what it actually takes to be a great skipper.

The pair dive deep into 'unequal sailing partnerships,' the psychological difference between real danger and perceived fear, and why cutting a long-planned cruise short might be the ultimate sign of a successful voyage. If you've ever worried about stretching your family's tolerance on the water, this episode is an absolute must-listen.

Timestamps

00:45 – The Snakes and Ladders of Sailing

02:45 – A Sailor’s Confession

06:00 – Justin's first command: Surviving spinnaker carnage on a Hunter Horizon

11:45 – The Grumpy Skipper Trap

16:30 – Event Management at Sea

19:35 – The cautionary tale of an 8-meter catamaran and forced cross-channel runs

24:35 – When Fear Meets Reality

34:10 – Knowing when to cut your holiday short

41:00 – Why the small, rubbish boats have more fun

43:00 – How to build boat-handling skills

47:25 – The Lost Art of Heaving-To

53:50 – Why couples should do shore-based courses together but practical courses apart

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a professional adventurer – a man who has dived with crocodiles and worked as a Cornish crab fisherman – meets a 7-ton Colvic 34 in a crowded marina? You get a masterclass in humility.

In episode 16 of The Sailing Podcast, sponsored by Sunsail, host Theo Stocker sat down with Monty Halls to hear how he’s getting on three years into his sailing journey. From his 'rodent-sized' therapy dog to the 3D-printed parts saving his prop shaft, Monty shares the highs and lows of life with his boat, Sobec.

It’s a hilarious, honest, and deeply relatable look at why we keep heading back out to sea, even when we’re convinced the boat is trying to kill us.

This episode is made possible by our sponsors, Sunsail. Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or just starting to fill your 'experience jar' like Monty, Sunsail makes getting on the water easy. Right now, you can get up to 20% off summer sailing holidays—from the steady winds of the Ionian to the hidden bays of Croatia. If you’re ready for more adventure and less routine, search Sunsail Summer Sailing Special or use this url: https://bit.ly/4tkrUrk

Timestamps

01:45 – The Luck Jar vs. The Experience Jar: Why your luck eventually runs out.

05:10 – The P-Bracket disaster: 1970s technology meets 3D printing.

12:30 – Meeting Dasher: The "sociopathic" dachshund and the hunt for the perfect boat dog.

19:50 – From the Royal Marines to Blue Planet: A life shaped by the sea.

27:15 – The brutal reality of a Cornish crab fisherman (and why we have it easy).

38:40 – First time out on Sobec: "My predominant emotion was alarm."

46:15 – The "Fleshy Fender": How (not) to involve your family in close-quarters manoeuvring.

54:30 – The Boat Syndicate: Why Monty is using a "dating agency" to share his yacht

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine dodging unpredictable ice floes in Antarctica, putting film crews in position for that perfect David Attenborough shot, and then—after a decade of professional high-stakes sailing—deciding the real adventure is actually a 42-foot cruiser, a three-year-old daughter, and a Wi-Fi signal in the Hebrides.

In this episode, Theo Stocker is joined by Charlie and Ed Hewitt of Ardent Training. They found a quiet corner at the Southampton Boat Show aboard a new Bavaria C46 to talk about their transition from professional whale-research skippers to "digital nomads."

They dive into how they’ve built a global online sailing school from the cabin of an 80s yacht, the reality of "working from bed" using a VR headset to escape the rain in Scotland, and why they traded the stress of Antarctic expeditions for the freedom of following the wind—wherever it happens to be blowing that day.

Brought to You By

This episode is made possible by our friends at Sunsail. If you’re ready for more wind in the sails and less routine on land, Sunsail’s summer offers are currently live with up to 20% off. Whether it’s a bareboat charter in Croatia or a guided flotilla in Greece, visit the link in the description to find your next escape. Find out more: https://www.sunsail.com/uk/offers/summer-sailing-special?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ssuk_sailingpodcast

Episode Timestamps

00:01:15 – High stakes in the ice: Dodging bergs and filming for Blue Planet.

00:08:30 – Meet Charlie and Ed: From Sea Cadets and the Navy to professional whale research.

00:22:45 – Buying "The Puppy": Why a cheap 1980s Van de Stadt was the key to their business freedom.

00:33:10 – The Digital Nomad life: Using Starlink to pitch to the government from St Kilda.

00:39:50 – The Virtual Office: How a VR headset solved the "working on a small boat" problem.

00:48:20 – Family on board: Raising a three-year-old and planning the next trip North.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you mix a lee shore, a dark November night, and a jib sheet wrapped around your propeller? You get one of the many "cock-up" stories featured in this second installment of our Sailing Nerds special.

Hosts Theo Stocker (Editor of Yachting Monthly) and Toby Heppell (Group Digital Editor for Future Publishing's Marine group) sit down at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club to share their most embarrassing maritime mistakes, from RNLI rescues to "slow-motion" marina crashes.

Beyond the blunders, the duo dives deep into the realities of Man Overboard (MOB) recovery for short-handed crews and kicks off a high-stakes round of Fantasy Boat Shopping—this time with a hypothetical £1 million budget. Plus Stick around for a "bright" discussion on the best torches and lanterns to keep in your kit bag.

This episode is made possible by His Majesty’s Coast Guard. Safety at sea starts with preparation. Before you head out, visit hmcoastguard.uk/checklist to order your free waterproof safety checklist and ensure you're ready for the unexpected.

• 00:00:56 – Introduction: Theo and Toby welcome you to the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.
• 00:05:40 – Confessions of a Sailor: The hosts share their most embarrassing "cock-ups" and RNLI rescue stories.
• 00:30:03 – The Reality of Man Overboard: A deep dive into short-handed MOB recovery and the kit that actually makes a difference.
• 00:47:04 – Fantasy Boat Shopping (£1M Budget): From the sleek Solaris 50 to the high-speed Rapido 50 trimaran.
• 01:03:53 – The Kit Bag: A technical look at torches, searchlights, and the enduring charm of hurricane lanterns.
• 01:15:10 – Closing Remarks: Previewing the next debate: Fin keels vs. Bilge keels.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this gripping episode, host Theo Stocker sits down with Tom Sharpe, a retired Royal Navy Commander, to recount one of the most harrowing maritime incidents in recent history.

While Tom's career spanned 27 years—commanding everything from fishery protection vessels to advanced Type 23 frigates—it was his time aboard the Navy's only icebreaker, HMS Endurance, that provided his ultimate test of leadership and resilience.

• The Incident: How a routine maintenance task in the Chilean inland waterways led to 1,200 tonnes of water flooding the ship in just 30 minutes.
• Command Under Pressure: Tom explains the "Chain of Events" that leads to disaster and why a leader must step back from the "knees-on-the-deck" technical work to see the bigger picture.
• Survival in the Magellan Strait: The terrifying reality of drifting towards the rocks of "Desolation Island" in 60-knot winds with no propulsion, no power, and failing communication systems.
• Lessons for Every Sailor: Whether you're on a Royal Navy warship or a family yacht, the principles of drills, muscle memory, and "pre-programming" your responses are what save lives when the "lemons line up".

Tom Sharpe is a retired Royal Navy Commander who now runs a strategic communications consultancy. He specialises in managing complex and contested situations for global organisations, applying the high-stakes leadership lessons learned at sea to the corporate world.

This episode is made possible by HM Coast Guard. Safety at sea starts with preparation. Whether it’s refreshing your navigation skills or conducting pre-season maintenance, don't leave it to chance.

Boost your skills and reduce the risk: Order your free waterproof boating safety checklist at hmcoastguard.uk/checklist.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to help us bring more incredible seafaring stories to the surface.

#SailingPodcast #HMSEndurance #RoyalNavy #MaritimeSafety #Leadership #Seamanship #HMCoastGuard

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.