🇮🇹 ITALIAN AND FRENCH RIVIERA 🇫🇷  

SY SAMLL WORLD III 🇻🇮 Karen & Daren – Bristol 47.7

YOUR SPECIAL INVITATION
OCEAN POSSE & BEN TAYLOR
STREET PARTY
@ CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL

The Cannes Yachting Festival, founded in 1977, is Europe’s leading in-water boat show held every September in Vieux Port and Port Canto. It gathers nearly 700 boats from 20′ to 165′ with 600+ exhibitors, and 55,000 visitors. Divided into zones for motor yachts, sailing vessels, tenders, toys, and luxury, it offers sea trials and global premieres. The 2025 show runs from September 9–14.

VENEZIA CERTOSA MARINA 🇮🇹 ITALY – SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
45°26.2616′ N 012°22.44 E

WE ARE PLEASED TO  PARTNER WITH THE OCEAN POSSE AND OFFER A 10% discount off our mooring rates

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AMENITIES

SAFE APPROACH

NEARBY

. 1) Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square)

• Why Go: It’s the beating heart of Venice, where you’ll find the stunning Basilica di San Marco, the Campanile, and the Doge’s Palace.

• Highlights: Byzantine mosaics, the bronze horses, and panoramic views from the bell tower.

• Best Time: Early morning or evening to avoid crowds and acqua alta.

2. Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

• Why Go: Once the seat of Venetian power, this Gothic masterpiece reflects Venice’s status as a maritime republic.

• Highlights: Golden staircase (Scala d’Oro), Tintoretto’s artworks, and the Bridge of Sighs.

• Insider Tip: Book the “Secret Itineraries” tour to see the interrogation rooms and Casanova’s prison cell.

3. Rialto Bridge & Market

• Why Go: The oldest bridge over the Grand Canal, bustling with energy and offering classic postcard views.

• Highlights: Fresh seafood at the market, gondolas gliding below, and hidden wine bars (bàcari) nearby.

• Timing: Morning for the market, sunset for the views.

4. Grand Canal (Canal Grande)

• Why Go: Venice’s main artery—best experienced by vaporetto (water bus) or private water taxi.

• Highlights: Palaces like Ca’ d’Oro and Ca’ Rezzonico line this historic waterway.

• Best Experience: Take Vaporetto #1 from Piazzale Roma to San Marco for a front-row canal tour.

5. Islands of Murano & Burano

• Why Go: A maritime escape within the lagoon—Murano for glassmaking, Burano for lace and vibrant colors.

• Highlights:

  • Murano: Watch glassblowers at work.

  • Burano: Rainbow-hued houses and the leaning bell tower.

• Pro Tip: Combine both in a half-day trip by vaporetto.

  Cutler – Maine 🇺🇸 USA

Cutler, Maine, located on the rugged coast of Washington County, is a small but historic fishing village known for its deep natural harbor and rich maritime heritage. With a population of fewer than 600 residents, it embodies the quiet resilience of coastal New England life. The town is home to one of the U.S. Navy’s VLF transmitter sites, which supports submarine communications. Beyond its naval role, Cutler is surrounded by pristine natural beauty, including bold cliffs, seabird nesting sites, and remote hiking trails. Its working waterfront reflects a tradition of lobstering and seafaring that continues to define the community today.

SY AUTUMN MOON 🇺🇸 Laurin & Elisa – Fountaine-Pajot 41′

 SHARE THE JOY OF CRUISING WITHOUT A SET SCHEDULE

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REFER A FRIEND TO THE OCEAN POSSE

It’s That Time Again – The Ocean Posse Annual Survey Has Dropped ⚓️

Ahoy Captains and Crew,There’s nothing quite like a good maritime survey to get your day started – a little honesty, a little embarrassment, and a whole lot of truth. We’re excited (yes, really excited) to hear what you really think.

This is your chance to weigh in – anonymously – and help shape the course of the Ocean Posse fleet. No names, no judgments, just your salty insights.Grab a coffee, drop anchor, and take a few minutes to fill it out.
👉

Take the Survey Now 

We’re counting on you – and there might just be a $250 prize at the end of your honesty.Stay informed,
The Ocean Posse Team

⚓ 👉 Each pod = your Route Tattoo :  just drop the emoji in chat to tag yourself and show your season’s cruising vibe.
Extra DIY points for stitching or painting your emoji on this season’s burgee . Your annual membership of $ 349
gives you full support   along any of these routes and your membership gives you full access to resources in 50 + maritime areas !

We sail where the monkeys roam free !
Let’s join a troupe of monkeys 🐒

chubascos 🌩️ in the sea of cortez 

Chubascos in the Sea of Cortez – What Every Captain Must Know

The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is one of the most breathtaking yet demanding bodies of water a sailor can experience. Towering desert mountains plunge into cobalt seas, isolated anchorages abound, and the wildlife is as rich as anywhere on Earth. But woven into this natural splendor is a weather phenomenon that has tested sailors for centuries: the chubasco. To voyage here is to court both wonder and risk, and chubascos stand as one of the defining challenges of summer sailing in this region.

What is a Chubasco?

The term chubasco comes from the Spanish word for “squall” or “sudden storm.” In the Sea of Cortez, a chubasco is typically a violent, short-lived wind event that originates late in the afternoon or evening and often strikes at night. Unlike predictable trade winds, chubascos are localized, powerful downdrafts of air driven by intense heat over the Baja Peninsula and mainland Mexico during the summer months. They carry high winds, often from the south or southeast, accompanied by sudden bursts of rain, lightning, and steep, confused seas.

They begin, more often than not, as early evening  thunderstorms sparked by rising heat over the Sierra Madre mountains along the eastern shore of the Sea of Cortez. Many of these cells fade away as evening sets in, but when conditions align, they march westward across the sea as chubascos.

For cruisers tucked into anchorages along the northern Sea during hurricane season, this can mean sudden, unwelcome company. Chubascos often make their arrival between “oh-dark-thirty” and the gray hours before dawn, precisely the wrong time to be jolted from a bunk into violent, shifting winds and steep seas. What began as distant lightning on the horizon may become a test of ground tackle and seamanship in the dead of night.

The Anatomy of a Chubasco

Understanding the anatomy of a chubasco is essential for preparation. Typically, a chubasco forms when hot air rises over the land in the afternoon, building towering thunderheads that can be seen from many miles away. These cumulonimbus clouds draw in moisture from the gulf and grow throughout the day.

As the sun sets and the land cools, the energy built in these storm systems collapses. The result is a powerful downdraft, a wall of wind and rain that barrels outward over the sea. Unlike gradual weather shifts, a chubasco often strikes with little warning. The first sign is usually a sudden gust – what seemed like a gentle breeze seconds before becomes a roaring squall. Lightning flashes illuminate the horizon, heavy rain pelts the deck, and the sea turns chaotic as wind-driven chop builds rapidly.

Winds can exceed 50 knots in extreme cases, though 30–40 knots is more common. Rainfall is torrential but often brief, lasting an hour or two before the storm exhausts itself. Once it passes, calm may return almost as suddenly as the storm appeared.

Where They Strike

Chubascos are most notorious in the central Sea of Cortez, particularly around popular cruising grounds like La Paz, Loreto, and the islands of Espíritu Santo, San José, and Carmen. These areas have long fetches of open water and steep mountain valleys where wind funnels toward the sea. However, chubascos can strike anywhere in the gulf, and their localized nature means one anchorage may be hammered while another just 10 miles away remains calm.

Sailors in the northern gulf near Bahía de los Ángeles also report frequent summer chubascos. In the southern gulf, areas around Mazatlán and Los Mochis sometimes experience violent squalls rolling off the mainland.

The Dangers for Sailors

For captains, the danger lies in the suddenness and ferocity of these storms. A vessel at anchor can quickly find itself dragging if the hook is not well set. Anchors buried in sand during calm weather may rip free when 40-knot gusts blow broadside against the hull. Poor holding ground, such as gravel or rock, becomes a serious liability in a chubasco.

At sea, the risk is equally high. Chubascos can kick up short, steep seas that test even seaworthy yachts. Reduced visibility in driving rain complicates navigation, and lightning poses an added threat to masts and electronics. Exhaustion also plays a role – many chubascos strike after midnight, catching crews unprepared or asleep. A storm that lasts only an hour can still leave a boat and its crew battered.

Lessons from History and Local Lore

Mexican fishermen and pearl divers of earlier centuries knew the chubascos well. Oral tradition warns that “the gulf sleeps with one eye open” in summer, a reminder that calm seas may hide sudden fury. Historical records tell of fishing fleets destroyed by unexpected night squalls, and to this day, local pangas will often return to port by mid-afternoon during peak season.

Yacht captains, too, share stories: dinghies blown off the beach, sails shredded, and nights spent hand-steering under bare poles. For every tale of damage, there are also stories of good seamanship – of a double-anchored boat riding out the gale safely, or of a crew spotting thunderheads in time to reef down before the storm hit.

Strategies for Preparation

Experienced cruisers in the Sea of Cortez adopt a simple rule: respect the chubasco season. That means anchoring with more caution, checking weather constantly, and preparing for the worst even on tranquil evenings. Practical strategies include:

Anchor  set firmly. Ue an oversized Rocna, Spad  for exceptional holding in sand. Setting two anchors in a V-formation provides extra security.

Allow for swing. Gusts may shift direction during the storm, so adequate scope and swing room are critical.

Secure the deck. Dinghies, awnings, cushions, and loose gear must be lashed or stowed. A chubasco can turn deck clutter into dangerous projectiles.

Reef early. If sailing, reduce canvas at the first sign of thunderheads. It is far easier to shake out a reef later than to wrestle a flogging sail at night.

Monitor weather. VHF, Social media nets, and satellite weather services provide warnings, but often visual observation – watching cloud build-up over the mountains – is the best predictor.

Stay vigilant at night. Many crews keep a rotating anchor watch during peak season.

The Rewards of Awareness

Ironically, the very heat and instability that generate chubascos also create the stunning desert-sea environment that draws sailors to the Sea of Cortez. After a storm, the air is clear, stars blaze overhead, and the sea often settles into a calm, mirror-like state by dawn. Dolphins return to play in the bow wave, frigate birds wheel over rocky cliffs, and the anchorage feels renewed.

OFFICIAL OCEAN POSSE EVENTS

Sat October 2025

OCEAN POSSE MARINE INSURANCE SEMINAR

ZOOM, ONLINE

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Wed - Sun December 2025

OCEAN POSSE KICK OFF 🇲🇽 BARRA DE NAVIDAD, MEXICO December 3-7 2025

MARINA PUERTO DE LA NAVIDAD, BARRA DE NAVIDAD, MEXICO

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Sun January 2026

FIESTA NAUTICA CLUB DE PESCA CARTAGENA 🇨🇴

CLUB DE PESCA, CARTAGENA COLOMBIA

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Sat January 2026

OCEAN POSSE AT SHELTER BAY 🇵🇦 PANAMA

SHELTER BAY MARINA, FORT SHERMAN, PANAMA

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Thu September 2026

OCEAN POSSE & BEN TAYLOR STREET PARTY @ CANNES 🇫🇷 YACHTING FESTIVAL

TAQUERIA LUPITA, 72 Rue Meynadier, Cannes

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Thu September 2026

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Wed - Sat October 2026

OCEAN POSSE 🇺🇸 SAN DIEGO BAY 4 DAY CRUISING SEMINARS SERIES @ SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY

SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY EVENT CENTER, CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO, CA

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Fri September 2027

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Sun September 2028

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Mon September 2029

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Tue September 2030

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Wed September 2031

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Ahoy Captains & Admirals and crew,

If you’re bringing a great dish to share, don’t forget to enter it into the Galley God(dess) Award contest! Show off your culinary skills, and you could sail away with the prize – a fine bottle of Flor de Caña rum.

THE JOURNEY 🇳🇴 ACROSS THE NORTH SEA  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We had an overnight passage from Lerwick, Shetland Island to Kirkwall, Orkney Islands.
A few highlights of our stay in Shetland were the cliffs of Esha Ness and the Puffin birds.
In Kirkwall we had fun riding out the major storm Floris. The boats around us, not so much.

After enjoying the local ambience of Kirkwall, we headed to the mainland of Scotland. We are heading to the west coast of Scotland and decided to forego the longer route across the northern end of Scotland and having to round Cape Wrath and the notorious currents there where the Atlantic and North Sea converge and instead opted for the Caledonian Canal. The northeastern lock entrance to the canal is on the North Sea at Inverness, 95 nm from Kirkwall. To break up the passage we had an overnight in Wick.

The Caledonian Canal extends fifty nautical miles (22 of which are man-made, and the remainder formed by freshwater lochs, one of which is the famous Loch Ness) and ends at Corpach where the southwestern sea lock is located. A one-way week’s license was £26.80 per meter. Our license for thirteen meters was £348 ($470). This fee included water, showers, WC, and electricity (where available) and docking at pontoons along the route. There are twenty-nine locks and eleven swing bridges along the way. The maximum permitted vessel dimensions on the canal are Length 45.72 m (150ft), Beam 10.67m (35ft), Draft 4.1m freshwater (13.5ft) and mast height 35m (115ft). The locks can accommodate 4 to 6 vessels (3 to a side depending on length). Where there is more than one lock it is necessary to have at least one person on shore to walk the line to the next lock. As we were only two crew members, the Lock Keeper would walk our bow line for us.

It is a beautiful canal. We were fortunate to have pleasant weather most of the time. We had a wonderful anchorage on Loch Ness.  However, no Nessie sighting.  While it did rain it was mostly in the late evening, so we were able to take our motorcycle down and rode into the heathered covered hills for a nice hike with a view of Loch Ness.

Aside from some of the rental boats with folks at the helm that are unfamiliar with boating rules of the road and the lookie-loo tourists who came by the bus loads to see Loch Ness and the locks at Fort Augustus at the southwest end of Loch Ness, it’s a great passage.  Highly recommended for any cruises in this part of the world.

MY HO’OKIPA 🇺🇸 Lisa & Lucky Chucky – Selene 43′

RECAP SOUTH PACIFIC PARTY  🇫🇯
Brought to you by the yacht sales co.

🌺 Nawi Island Ocean Posse Gathering – Event Wrap-Up

Bula Captains,

What an incredible evening at Nawi Island Marina! We had a fantastic turnout with 74 adventurers in attendance, all gathered under the Fijian spirit of hospitality.

⚓ A Feast to Remember – The star of the night was the 36kg pig, roasted to perfection Hawaiian hot rock style. The crisp skin didn’t last long, and alongside it Domoni’s Waterfront Restaurant laid out a wonderful Fijian-themed buffet that brought plenty of smiles.

🍹 Rum Punch Cheers – While we couldn’t secure a rum sponsor this year, the homemade rum punch flowed freely and kept the camaraderie alive. Let’s raise our sights for next season – Flor de Caña, we’ll be calling on you!

📚 Sharing Knowledge – Two yachtie presentations rounded out the evening, with good feedback from those who attended. Events like this are all about learning from one another while answering the call of the sea together.

📸 Moments Captured – We’ve attached a few photos to relive the fun and fellowship.

A hearty vinaka vakalevu to the Domoni’s Waterfront Restaurant team for their hard work and hospitality, and to all the captains and crew who joined in. These gatherings are what make the Ocean Posse strong – food, friendship, and the bonds of the sea.

Until the next event,
The Ocean Posse Team

WHAT RIGGERS ⚙️ CAN MISS 

1. Hidden Wear Points

• Inside swage fittings – cracks and broken strands can hide inside the metal.
• Sheave grooves – sharp edges or worn bearings can chew lines and wire.
• Spreader tips – chafe against the shrouds often goes unnoticed.
• Check the forestay wire strands for under the furling Jib / Genoa – especially the fixing points

2. Fasteners and Hardware

• Turnbuckle cotter pins – either missing, bent, or incorrectly installed.
• Mast step bolts and partners – not inspected closely for corrosion or movement.
• Chainplates below deck – many focus on the visible stainless above, but the hidden end in damp lockers often corrodes first.

3. Alignment & Tuning

• Mast column straightness – minor bends at spreaders or partners can go undetected.
• Unequal tension – especially on intermediate shrouds and checkstays, which affect mast shape under load.
• Backstay fittings – neglected even though they take tremendous shock loads.

4. Rope & Running Rigging

• Core-to-cover separation – looks fine outside but the inner core is sliding.
• End-for-end rotation – some lines stay in the same load orientation too long, leading to uneven wear.
• Clutch jaws – glazed or worn, which damages halyards.

5. Environmental & Long-Term Issues

• Crevice corrosion in stainless – hidden in low-oxygen areas like under tangs or inside spreader sockets.
• UV damage – particularly on Dyneema lashings or covers that look strong until they fail suddenly.
• Electrolysis – dissimilar metals in spars or tangs quietly eating away.

6. Safety Equipment Integration

• Jackline attachments – riggers focus on mast and shrouds but forget about secure points for crew safety.
• Radar/antenna cabling – poorly secured wires inside mast can chafe and short.
• Liferaftt  rack deployment if in a cradle

OCEAN  POSSE PANAMA 🇵🇦 CANAL AGENTS 

info@centenarioconsulting.com
www.centenarioconsulting.com
Cellphone +507 6676-1376
WhatsApp +507 6676-1376

Lake Gatun, at the heart of Panama, is one of the most remarkable man-made lakes in the world and a vital part of the Panama Canal system. Created between 1907 and 1913 during the construction of the canal, the lake covers approximately 164 square miles (425 square kilometers) and was, at the time, the largest artificial lake ever built. Its formation required damming the Chagres River with the massive Gatun Dam near Colón, which both controlled seasonal flooding and provided the immense volume of water necessary to operate the locks of the canal.

From an engineering standpoint, Lake Gatun is indispensable. It sits about 85 feet above sea level and serves as a natural transit corridor for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Vessels enter the canal from the Caribbean side at Colón, rise through the Gatun Locks, and then navigate across the expanse of Lake Gatun before descending again through locks closer to the Pacific. The lake provides the water needed to fill and empty the locks, and with each ship transit, millions of gallons flow by gravity toward the ocean. Rainfall in the surrounding tropical rainforest replenishes this supply, making the watershed around the Chagres River one of the most strategically important hydrological systems in the world.

Ecologically, Lake Gatun supports a vibrant ecosystem. The lake is dotted with islands, many of which were once hilltops before the valley was flooded. The most famous, Barro Colorado Island, is now a world-renowned biological reserve managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Researchers there study tropical rainforest ecology, bird migrations, primates, and countless plant and insect species. For visiting yachts and canal transiting vessels, the lake often feels like a lush, green wilderness despite being part of one of the busiest shipping corridors on earth. Wildlife such as crocodiles, howler monkeys, toucans, and iguanas are common sights along the shoreline.

For sailors and canal transiting crews, Lake Gatun is both a resting point and a challenge. Once vessels are lifted into the lake by the Gatun Locks, they may spend hours motoring across its calm waters en route to the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks on the Pacific side. Some yachts are required to anchor overnight in designated holding areas while awaiting their assigned passage window, giving crews a unique experience: a quiet night aboard in the middle of a vast artificial lake surrounded by rainforest. The sight of massive container ships and tankers sharing the same waters with small cruising yachts underscores the global significance of this passage.

Beyond its maritime role, Lake Gatun is also essential to Panama’s population. It provides fresh drinking water for Panama City and Colón, supplies hydroelectric power, and supports local fisheries. The balance between industrial shipping needs, ecological conservation, and domestic resource use has long been a delicate one.

OCEAN POSSE MERCHANDISE | MADE TO ORDER ONLY

Tidbits

SMITHSONIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE

#STRI scientists suggest that a significant reduction in wind patterns was the cause of this unprecedented failure. This reveals how changes in our #climate can quickly impact fundamental natural processes that have sustained coastal #fishing communities for thousands of years. Still, further research is needed to determine a more precise cause and its potential consequences for fisheries.

Read the full story: https://stri.si.edu/story/upwelling-failure

• This can be more than a scientific footnote, it has real implications for sailing comfort, biodiversity visibility, and coastal ecosystems.

• Higher ocean temperatures can lead to altered local weather patterns—more haze or fewer coastal breezes on the way to the Galapagos.

• Marine food scarcity may reduce wildlife sightings such as birds or small fish schools common around up welling zones.

U.S. COAST GUARD BARQUE ‘EAGLE’  VISITS PANAMA 

Panama City, April 22, 2025 – The U.S. Coast Guard cutter ‘Eagle,’ a 295-foot, three masted barque used as a training vessel, will arrive tonight at Panama’s Atlantic coast to cross the Panama Canal and begin a tour of various locations along the Pacific coast of Central and North America. After crossing the Canal, the training ship will dock at different ports in Costa Rica, Mexico, the United States, and Canada

The USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) is one of the most iconic vessels in the United States Coast Guard and serves as its sail training ship. Here’s a quick history:

Origins in Germany:
Eagle was originally built in 1936 by Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. She was launched as the Horst Wessel, one of a series of tall ships constructed for training officers in the German Navy.

World War II Service:
During the Second World War, the ship served under the German Kriegsmarine. After the war ended in 1945, the Allies divided surviving German sailing ships among the victors.

Transfer to the U.S.:
In 1946, the ship was taken as a war prize by the United States and formally commissioned into the Coast Guard as USCGC Eagle (WIX-327).

Role in Training:
Since then, Eagle has been used to train cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in seamanship, leadership, and navigation under sail. Each summer, cadets undertake voyages on Eagle, learning traditional sailing skills and modern teamwork in a demanding environment.

Design and Specs:
Type: Barque (three-masted tall ship)
Length: 295 ft
Beam: 39.1 ft
Free board: 9.1 ft
Draft: 17.0 ft
Max Height: 147.3 ft
Sail Area: 21,350 sq ft
Number of Sails 23
Speed under power: 11 kts
Speed under sail: 17 kts
Rig: Square-rigged on the fore and main masts, fore-and-aft rigged on the mizzen
Crew: About 50 permanent crew and up to 150 cadets or trainees

SQUIRREL ON BOARD 🐿️ UNINVITED VISITOR 

So I’m going about my business today at anchor at least 500 feet from the nearest point of land and hear a weird noise coming from the bow. I went to check it out and my eyes pop when I see it’s a sopping wet, shaking, chattering mess of a squirrel clinging for dear life to the bow roller. Bursting into action (after staring blankly for far too long)

I decided to rescue the poor thing and take it back to shore. In a fit of optimism I decided we would coax it onto the paddle board and tow it by dinghy to the safety of land. Solid plan, should be easy. Commence absolute shit show. Turns out our new friend very much did NOT want to get near the water again and is much faster than two moderately fit adults. We each grabbed a cockpit cushion and a weapon (boat hook and broom) and turned our deck into a scene from the three stooges for twenty minutes chasing the thing around.

Brian finally managed to swipe it with the broom into the water where it swam like an Olympian to the dingy and climbed onto the outboard. Awesome! I jumped into the dingy and yelled at Brian to untie me so I could row us away from the boat and then shoo the squirrel onto the board. Unfortunately Mr squirrel is waaaay faster than either of us, even when we are highly motivated to move fast, and scampered like a frickin rocket up the side of the dingy and back onboard before we could get untied.
Arrrrrrggh.
Back to three stooges mode, this time minus the broom after I dropped it in the water in my haste to get on the dinghy, and now paired with a husband who has developed murder eyes and a chant of “I don’t have time for this, I’m gonna kill it”. This time I let murder man take the task of shooing rockeg squirrel into the water and stay in the dinghy, positioning the paddle board so its the closest thing to the transom and with the dinghy ready to row off as soon as the squirrel is onboard. Pause for a moment. To date, my biggest regret in life is not wearing a body cam for the next ten minutes because it would gone millions of views viral. First. A now very aggressive Brian somehow gets the thing onto the transom and in the water without injuring it. It IMMEDIATELY heads back to the boat, only to be intercepted by my now roaring mad husband with the boat hook. The squirrel grabs ahold of the hook and Brian starts shaking and swinging the hook like the swashbuckler Zoro in attempt to keep the stowaway from reboarding and to sling the squirrel off and onto the paddle board.

The squirrels grasping at the pole like a stripper squeezing every last dollar bill out of an audience and Will Not Let Go. I’m watching this tragic comedy from the dinghy mentally calculating the trajectory of the beast when it’s inevitably thrown and quickly realize my head is the most likely landing place. By some ridiculous miracle, and after several tosses and retrievals with the boat hook, Brian figures out how to aim the squirrel projectile and it lands within inches of the Paddle board and climbs on.

“ROW ROW” he starts shouting from the transom and I pull with every I’ve got. Naturally, the afternoon wind we’ve been expecting takes that exact second to kick in, sending my and curly back towards the boat. Brian gives the board a big kick and sends it away. The squirrel, either deciding the end has come or realizing the safest place to be is right where it is, crouches down on the board and digs his little claws in. I think at this point nobody would believe this without pictures, and thank goodness Brian grabbed my phone and took some good shots after i started to row away, because I swear it really, actually happened. The squirrel held tight all the way to shore where I was able to pull up to a private dock and give the board a good shake to send him on his way. Best of luck squirrel buddy. Please don’t feel the need to drop by again, we’re good.

Story from Former Posse vessel
SY HALF MOON 🇺🇸 Brain & Elizabeth Sea Wind 39′

TURNING ( BEACH COMBING ) PLASTIC INTO ART 

To get inspired and share your own plastic art go to

https://www.instagram.com/telka_plasticfish/
Every single part saved from the sea 🌊 #plasticfish #plasticfishing #plastic #plasticart #trash #trashfish #savetheplanet #savetheocean #🐟#🌊 instagram.com/planetcare_smallsteps

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  Join events, meetups, and shared journeys that turn you voyages into unforgettable stories and lasting memories.
• Cruise with a Conscience
  Gain insights into sustainable practices and join a movement that protects the waters you love to explore.