In the summer of 1968, an English newspaper, The Sunday Times, proposed a contest - The Golden Globe Yacht Race - which challenged all comers to attempt the first single handed non-stop circumnavigation of the world. Many entered, but only one man, Robin Knox-Johnson, completed the sail, securing the Golden Globe Trophy and a cash prize of 5000 pounds.

This caught the attention of Dougal Robertson (a former sailor in his late forties) along with his wife Lyn and their children - 18 year old Anne, 16 year old Douglas, and 12 year old twin boys Neil and Sandy, who together, followed the Golden Globe race from their dairy farm in rural Staffordshire, England. While watching a news report of the race, Neil, one of the twins, blurted out “Daddy’s a sailor, why don’t we sail around the world?” And this was how it started.

Please share Marooned with your friends and co-workers. If not, Jack and Aaron may have to make do on an island somewhere with too few coconuts and too many Komodo dragons. Thank you.

Sources:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/06/14/how-a-12-year-old-boy-survived-38-days-adrift-in-ocean/

https://nmmc.co.uk/2022/05/the-50th-anniversary-of-the-robertson-family-rescue/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W6R0x8RK6Q&ab_channel=LADbibleTV

The family road trip brings to mind an overpacked station wagon, some unimpressed kids in the back, and a couple of adults arguing up front over a comically large map. It’s supposed to be a good time but in reality, usually, it’s a bit of a nightmare. Especially if dad made a wrong turn. And then another… and it’s getting dark.

Marooned has a facebook group! Look us up and interact with us there. :-)

Sources:

https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2011/01/kati_kim_speaks_out_on_oregonl.html

https://abcnews.go.com/2020/kati-kim-tells-heart-wrenching-story-family-ended/story?id=12884927

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49f9SiLmgEk

https://www.oregonlive.com/editors/2013/04/kim_familys_fatal_oregon_journ.html

History is often written by the victors - or in this case - a man named Vilhjalmur Stefansson who made a living and a name for himself by using other people's money to put unsuspecting explorers in peril.

This is the true story of Ada Blackjack.

Hey! If you can read this, please tell others about Marooned. Jack and Aaron are running low on supplies, but a boost to the podcast would surely help us reach the peak. ;-)