I Drank Turtle Blood & Ate Sharks To Survive: A Real Castaway Story | Extraordinary Lives |@LADbible

With thanks to Douglas Robertson for sharing his story. You can find out more information through the National Maritime Museum (Cornwall) where the dinghy is kept to this day: nmmc.co.uk/2022/05/the-50th-anniversary-of-the-rob… You can purchase Douglas' book here: www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Voyage-Lucette-Douglas-Rober…

This story deserves a film 100%

I read his father's book (Survive the Savage Sea) several times when I was 14 and found it utterly inspiring in so many ways. At the time I was living under the rule of violence from a vicious stepfather, and the book, like so many others, transported me away with this family in peril, and though our circumstances were quite different, their struggle for survival breathed life into my own. The potrait of the 18 year old son in the pages of the story is a loving one, the father describing his son's dogged devotion to keeping watch, his deep anger and sadness at the first ship not spotting them, his strength and relaibility being a huge support throughout the ordeal. The fact that they all lived was largely due to two things: Dougal Robertson's invaluable skill and experience as a seaman, and the single kitchen knife he grabbed in the few minutes it took for their yacht to go down. That knife enabled them to kill and cut up raw food, cut material for sun hats, cut string and strips of rubber from the inflatable raft to fashion makeshift rain-catchers. By the time they were rescued, the knife blade was all but worn down to a sliver. So moving to get some first-hand accounts from Douglas Robertson, the steadfast son. I still own the secondhand copy of the book and I'll never part with it.

He’s my accountant- a lovely guy. Remember him telling me this story when we first met. He’s been through some real tough times beyond this, a true gentleman.

This is such an incredible story and one we proudly share in the Museum. The dinghy they were rescued from, along with a range of objects, are on display in our main gallery. Last year the family spent the 50th anniversary of the sinking with us - what an honour.

His parents were different. Bought a farm, no farming knowledge. Selling everything to buy a boat and take their kids around the world, on the unforgiving ocean. Wild at heart !

One hour of my life i will never regret! An honour to spend it with Mr Robertson.

“Mankind… Just under the surface… are thousands of years of skills…” what a great quote

As a Retired Ship’s Captain myself, and also a yachtsman, I found this simply told story to be fascinating. Absolutely beautifully and compassionately voiced by a brilliant orator. I will now search out both books. Thanks & kind regards to all for a great hour spent, Brian 👍☘️🇦🇺

“And we look back at the sea, the Pacific, and we missed it. Because, our lives had value, everyday, verified, everyday, because we were still alive. That was the simple measure.” This was really profound for me, it makes me long for freedom and more adventure. To take more risks and be honest with myself and what I want in this world.

wow! i don't think i've ever been more captivated. Douglas tells his story with such skill and pathos. i could listen to him for hours, and would love a Part Two of what happened to him and his family afterwards. thank you!

What an incredible story and well done Lad Bible for letting Douglas speak about his experience uninterrupted, very good interviewing technique

The only thing better than this amazing story is the way Douglas tells it. It’s so well told, you can see and feel everything he talks about!

This man has a gift to tell his story in an utterly riveting way. I hung on his every word and even rewound at times if I missed a few seconds. This man needs to visit schools to show kids that there’s so much more to life than their stupid phones or social media. Show young people that if this seemingly ordinary man could survive such an extraordinary ordeal then they can also do anything they put their minds to. I bet kids would forget all about their electronics as this man tells his story.

No words to describe the intensity of this story, of both beauty and turmoil. It's a dream, it's a nightmare, it's an adventure.

I felt an overwhelming surge of sadness as his story came to an end, despite it being a happy ending. I think it was the emotion hitting me of what can only be described as an indescribable feat of human survival, love and hope! 🖤

I’m inconsolable …. Such exquisite narration about the fine line between life and death … survival has always fascinated me but this has taken the prize … I salute you all …

I am soooo moved by this story. And what a great storyteller he is 🥺 extraordinary human being. 👏🏽 this story is incredible

The way he explained at the end, after being rescued, and then ironically missing the Sea. And the feeling of valuing their lives, through the struggle. Really just puts life into perspective. We often take the things in our everyday life for granted. It reminded me, I need to take some time each day to be more thankful for the things I have in my life. Thanks for this great, very well told story.

"Oh they've got millions of years on us" I love this family haha funny, quirky, adventurous souls with one helluva story!! Brilliant!!