6,000 miles in 12 months across 13 states and two countries….on a boat. From rivers, canals to oceans and lakes, various water, tides, currents, winds, and waves. An adventure and a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Often the first question I get asked is, is it safe? We are a fan of staying alive. Thanks to the hard work of those before us, we have great resources, support, and tools to help on the journey. Most notably is the American Great Looper Cruisers Association (AGLCA), which is not for profit group that offers webinars, maps, books, forums, and lots of information. We spent years researching this trip; what kind of boat we would need, how long it would take, how much it would cost, and finally, how safe would we be. The answer is safe; the journey is mostly in well-protected water, we choose what weather to travel in, and no Looper has had a fatal accident yet.
We started with years of previous boating experience, yet we still have much to learn. Before we began this adventure, we thought of everything we would need, AED-check, first aid kit-check, VHF radio-check, fire extinguishers-check, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide-check.
Sometimes we need a boost for our confidence, and as part of my growth, I decided to take a Boat US Foundation boat safety course. Wow, am I glad I did! It covered coast guard requirements, navigation, safety equipment, and boat operations. Even after many years of boating, it was well worth it. After taking the course, I went through everything on our boat. Flares-expired. Fire extinguishers?-BC but not ABC, EPIRB?-not registered. Ugh…quick trip to West Marine.
Did you know the number one cause of fatalities on the water is falling overboard without a life jacket on? Not sinking, capsizing, or being attacked by a giant whale, all my worst fears-it is when every day becomes mundane, and we get too comfortable. We now wear a lifejacket with a whistle attached anytime we are outside the cabin, whether docking, pulling the anchor, or watching the dolphins. Even the dog has a lifejacket. We consider headsets a safety necessity; it keeps clear communication during stressful times, through docking, locks, and moving about the vessel.
Staying alive requires more than safety equipment; a seaworthy vessel, knowing the marine navigation rules, and during a pandemic, how to safely travel. Our boat is a 1978 Trawler, which, like any boat, needs some love to remain in seaworthy shape. I am blessed to be married to a mechanically gifted man who can repair and maintain the vessel. He even teaches me a thing or two. Boats have numerous systems; electrical, plumbing, propulsion, anchoring, and more. Oil needs changing, fuses replaced, batteries checked, and the list goes on…Making sure each is safe, up to date, and in top shape helps prevent emergencies.
Marine navigation means understanding the buoy colors, from red and green, and on which side, to shapes and symbols. It is also essential to know how to pass another boat, a barge, and avoid a collision. And finally, traveling by boat during a pandemic presents unique challenges. Having spent time on land and at sea during this eventful time, I feel far safer on the ship than I did on the ground. We are alone on the boat, and when we do interact with others, it is electronically or outside and at a distance. Fueling is done outside, groceries can be picked up or delivered, and we only eat at restaurants if we can eat outdoors. If we want to visit a museum, we go during the working week hours when there are fewer people and wear a mask. Almost everything we need is a walk or bike-ride away.
We are lucky; many had gone before us and shared their experiences and wisdom on making this journey safe. The AGLCA is an excellent resource; together with boat safety courses, hiring a captain if needed, and mechanical skills, it is a safe trip of a lifetime, one that will keep you staying alive.
ohbuoy.net 