The Emerging Sailor

Voyaging has always been evolving, presenting new challenges in preparation and on the ocean, and calling on us to learn, grow and adapt. I wrote this as a companion piece to my earlier Currents article, “Preparing to Sail Offshore as the Planet Heats Up”.

From
The rugged, self-reliant sailor
Face what nature offers, take the risks, endurance
Compass, sextant, walker log and sail palm
Planks to plywood to glass fibre
Raw, unadorned, minimal, tough, physical, simple
Adventure, excitement, exploration

To
The electric sailor
Engineering takes on the elements
Batteries, refrigeration, radar, electric windlass, SSB
12V conversations, charging, inverters
Comforts, furlers, life rafts
Adventure, excitement, exploration

To
The digital sailor
Make nature predictable, $$$, always connected
GPS, Electronic charts, GPIRBs, GRIBs and downloads
Technological complexity crowding out time
Safety first, bigger and faster, certainty, always prepared, Starlink
Adventure, excitement, exploration

To
The psychologically and emotionally masterful sailor
Self-regulation in the face of great uncertainty, climate and social chaos, and eco-death based trauma
Fear, anxiety and anger management; emotional awareness and impulse control; psychological first aid; authentic communication
Developing deep calmness and trust, letting tears of grief flow, openly compassionate, resilient
Faithful witness, attuned to nature, cultivating wonder, awe and gratitude
Adventure, excitement, exploration, wisdom

It’s still magical out there