• Ep3: Seventy-Six Days Adrift - Steven Callahan's Atlantic Odyssey

  • Feb 27 2025
  • Length: 1 hr and 4 mins
  • Podcast

Ep3: Seventy-Six Days Adrift - Steven Callahan's Atlantic Odyssey

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  • Summary

  • When naval architect Steven Callahan's self-designed sailboat Napoleon Solo sank after a whale collision in February 1982, his Atlantic crossing became an extraordinary test of human endurance. For 76 days, Callahan survived on a six-foot inflatable life raft nicknamed "Rubber Ducky," drifting 1,800 miles before his rescue near Guadeloupe. What distinguishes his survival story is his methodical approach and meticulous documentation—keeping a waterproof logbook throughout his ordeal—combined with his technical expertise as a sailor and boat designer. Callahan developed sophisticated systems for collecting water through solar stills, hunting fish with a makeshift spear, navigating, and maintaining his failing raft. Despite losing one-third of his body weight and suffering from exposure, dehydration, and salt sores, he maintained both physical survival and remarkable psychological resilience. His 1986 book "Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea" became a survival classic that influenced maritime safety practices and continues to offer insights into human adaptability in extreme circumstances.
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