A few months ago, my life experienced a kind of collapse. It began with a breakup, followed a few weeks later by the non-renewal of a professional contract, both leading, I knew, to a forced move as I no longer had the means to pay for my Paris apartment.
Running smoothly, with no kids, no credit, and with little change to spare, I realized that in the midst of this hurricane, it was time to realize a dream that had been pursuing me since my adolescence : going on a long and long journey.
I first thought about going to Southeast Asia, or South America, but the idea of flying bothered me. After all, I had time, so also take less polluting means of transport, such as a sailboat for example…
Sailing trips had always made me dream, even though it seemed impossible to access them, because they were too expensive and required too many skills that I didn’t have. I grew up in the city, never knew a sailor, it was in my head just ‘not for me ». But after deciding to do some research to see if there were other solutions, I quickly found a lead that might work.
How to find a sailboat to sail for dummies
Most sailboats require multiple people to be able to maneuver them, e.g many skippers are looking to expand their crew to take turns, especially during long voyages. A crossing of the Atlantic, for example, can take from 2 to 4 weeks!
There is then talk of being recruited as a “team member”, that is to say that thewe integrate the journey in exchange for navigational aids, but also boat maintenance, cooking, cleaning, etc. Generally, it is clear that he has taken navigation courses before launch. I had personally done three in the past (with the Glénans and the UCPA), but some boats accept beginners.
And on the question ofwhere do we find this boatWELL, there are different techniques.
Going to a port… Or on the internet
The first is a go to a portit’s simply propose to the skippers present to embark with them. Some travelers print and place notices prominently at the marina entrance, stating their sailing experience and desired destination.
Still living in Paris at the beginning of my search, it seemed a bit too complicated to me, so I turned to the Internet and the many ads that can be found there on free sites or Facebook groups.
Just a few days into my search, I found my first trip plan : a couple offered me to accompany them on an ocean liner. One of my dreams, I could hardly believe it!
Except at the same time, I ran a Facebook group dedicated to the safety of women at sea and there, I fell from the top.
In the middle of the sea there is no escape
The sea is a dangerous environmentand it is obvious that it is necessary to ensure the skills of the commander as well as the equipment on board to avoid any fatal accident.
But beyond this risk, the surfing world is not free from sexism, cases of sexual assault or rape. The peculiarity of the boat is that the spaces are very limited and that’s itonce in the sea, it is impossible to escape. THE Keeper recently wrote an article on this understudied topic.
To warn future crew members and avoid repeat cases as much as possible, Leila Gold, the creator of the Facebook group Safety Precautions for Female Crew on Recreational Craft, launched a Patreon page with a blacklist system of skippers accused by other members of assaults. The system is simple: you give her 1€, in exchange she gives you information about the skipper you are in contact with, and in particular if it has already been marked as dangerous.
Safety rules to follow before getting on a boat where you don’t know anyone
I contacted her to get her opinion on the couple who offered me the ocean liner. One hour later, he told me to run, the man being charged with assault, a complaint is pending.
The discovery of Tritona queer, feminist and safe boat
Following this fortunately avoided plan, I decided to change my approach. I was no longer at all reassured by the idea of embarking with a stranger, and I had to find an alternative.
That’s when I came across a Facebook post from a sailboat named Triton, who introduced himself as a queer, feminist project, open only to “FLINTA+” (a German acronym meaning Women, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans and Agender… I mean, all people who are not cis men) and looking to recruit team members between April and October.
This boat offers anyone who wants to sail a safe and inclusive space, the boat that sailed around Europe in this period. We recommend join the boat at least 2 weeks, but it is possible to stay longer… After reading all of their FAQs, I thought this would be a great place to start my journey.
Neither one nor two, I answered their form to join them and After a few exchanges, we agreed that I would come aboard Triton in early May for a month and a half to join together Spain then Portugal from Pornicin Loire-Atlantique… The adventure was finally about to begin!
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
