“THE BROOKLYN FLOTILLA”
Four Sailboats from Brooklyn: A
Common Dream and Eight Months of Planning
By Christos Katehis and Efrosini Miros
This is the first article of a three-part series about the journey of four sailboats. The journey starts in New York Harbor with the destination of St Georges Harbor, Bermuda, and ends back in New York.
In the first article we explain the mindset and mental preparedness needed to make such a passage. The second article will be about the practical preparations. And finally the third article will describe our actual experience.
Mindset
The mindset needed for a successful passage deals with survival. Regardless of all the research and reading we had done, nature threw things our way that really surprised us! How you react to these surprises can and will determine the success of your journey. Whether it is how much fuel you are using or how much chafe is on your second reefing line, you will always find yourself in a continuous correction-and-adjustment mode. The cavalier mindset of just going on a cruise and getting a tan will only cripple your ability to react properly to the life-threatening conditions that can arise when at sea.
The mindset of survival helped us do two things: First, it made available the adrenalin needed to carry on, even in times that seemed hopeless. Second, it brought out the “so far so good” thoughts when we were making the right decisions. That was enough to keep us going. Discipline and a positive mental attitude are the ultimate requirements.
The kibernitis* must bear the responsibility
of keeping situations under control. Communicating with the crew via commands
-- unlike the round-table approach we used during the planning of the trip --
is vital. He/she must have a positive attitude and the ability to be authoritative and convincing.
After conferring with the crew and captains of the Brooklyn Flotilla, we found that the kibernitis responsibility was not taken seriously and on several occasions created problems that could have been avoided. Some of the problems were severe. Let us examine a couple of them here.
“Kibernites,” or cybernetics, comes from the Greek and refers to the comparative study of control and communication --usually attributed to the person who has the responsibility (even temporary) for the safe direction and efficiency of any undertaking.
There was the captain who failed to give specific instructions to the helmsman to stay on a certain course. Instead, the helmsman steered his own course (that seemed logical to him at the time), and ended up whistling a tune while sailing off-course with a backed jib in the middle of a dark night. Whether it was stress or neglect, the captain was not in charge of the vessel’s direction! The helmsman wasn’t clear about his responsibility to steer a specific course. So he made incorrect assumptions. Luckily, the error resulted in only a few lost hours.
Another example is the captain who gave in to the negative thoughts of a crewmember and turned on the EPIRB when the going (the sea, in this case) got rough. During the EPIRB activation, the captain was able to overcome his stress, regain his positive mental attitude, and turn off the EPIRB. Later he told the negative crewmember, “You can get off now or you can get off in Bermuda. The choice is yours.” No need to tell you the crewmember’s choice!
We are so used to instant gratification that even in the middle of the Atlantic we expect to get saved by a single push of a button. The authorities understand this kind of behavior so well that they have an automatic 6-to-11-hour delayed response to all EPIRB signals! In the example above, although the authorities were aware of the EPIRB signal, they did not dispatch emergency help because the signal was turned off within their delay time.
One more important issue is the physical ability of each person. Everyone is different in his or her capabilities. One way help equalize peoples’ abilities is to make sure the crew get enough rest and food throughout the trip. Abilities and skills are two different things; ability- to do something not done before, skills-to do something you are good at. They both vary according to fatigue. It is the captain’s job to recognize the crews abilities and skills and to delegate the proper tasks to the appropriate people.
One of the unplanned physical surprises we had to deal with was seasick crew. It is not enough for one to protect his/her own physical and emotional being. You must be able to help and comfort others in need. So the physical requirements are very important too.
In summary, the crew needs to possess the proper attitude and sea-skills, and also be in great physical shape. Above all, the captain needs to be prepared for the mental and physical demands of the crew. With all these challenges one might ask why we do it? Why don’t we just take a cruise? After all, it’s cheaper, safer and much more pleasant. Each crewmember has answered this question and the results will be addressed in the next article.
The poem that follows was written by one of our female crewmembers. The “mother to be” part is for a crewmember who became pregnant during the planning stages of the trip and was physically unable to be with us during the passage.
(Dedicated to
Brian and Christos)
Here’s to swimming with bow legged women.
Who take to high seas with trembling knees.
We prepped and we pondered, before we would wander
Far from our shores off to St George's Harbor.
And while we hit the bucket and maybe the rail
It was all due to waves and perhaps a small gale.
While being tossed like a salad and sprayed with the sea.
We did not complain, lest we act more like HE.
Our days were filled with sunshine...surf, sand and shopping.
The ideal crew for island hopping.
The nights brought the stars, full moon and gentle breezes.
A glass of red wine or a few Dark and Stormies.
The crews had a
party and ate rather hearty.
While they boasted and toasted and commended each other.
Us women of Bermuda missed our soon to be mother.
Our sail to Bermuda
was an education at best.
But the next time we're going, we're going as guests. (Cruise ship that is!)
Our life upon land
will not be the same.
We will look to the sea and know what we've gained.
A sense of accomplishment, confidence and knowledge
And perhaps a dream of our next offshore passage.
And so I ask everyone to raise their glasses and toast to
"RIDING IN DINGHIES AND LIVING WITH WET ASSES."
Elaine Timmins
July 2003