moment had nothing to do with decoding our two-month electrical mystery or successfully replacing an impossible to reach bilge pump. I was caught off guard by the burst of emotions that swept over me as I smoothed out the edges of our new name decal on the once-empty transom. I sprinted to the next dock to snap photos of our newly christened Rogue One . That pretty little vessel, this new friend I adored, was all ours, and becoming more so with each new day. Set Sail and Live Your Dreams (Seaworthy Publications, 2019) is the Winships’ book about their family’s 10-year adventure cruising aboard their 33-foot catamaran Chewbacca. It is available in paperback and e-book editions at Amazon.
perform a courtesy safety inspection. Before the visit, I took out a three-ring notebook and gathered copies of our boat’s legal documents such as proof of current registration and insurance and detailed the locations of all safety gear aboard. A pre-printed form with the emergency MAYDAY procedures gravitated to the front of the book along with the boat- towing service information and a check list of Coast Guard requirements. Our focus on personal and vessel safety had paid off as the auxiliary volunteer came aboard and in less that an hour ticked off each item as he worked his way through the inspection. Being prepared earned us a Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check decal, which we displayed next to our boat registration sticker. As the Florida winter unfolded, confidence in our vessel grew and those nagging first questions and many more were resolved. Surprisingly, my most gratifying
docks and meet our neighbors. We were surrounded by a potpourri of boaters: weekenders, cruisers making their way south, and others like ourselves adapting to liveaboard life and learning about their new vessels. New friendships were kindled, and boating experiences were shared.
Ready for Safety Inspection
Maintaining a safe boat, practicing good seamanship habits and being prepared for the unthinkable is of paramount impor- tance to us. So, we enrolled in the free America’s Boating Course by the United States Power Squadron. The course not only covered basic boating skills and navigation, but also highlighted what safety equipment was required onboard. After completing the eight-week course, we wanted to have a fresh set of eyes look over our boat and invited a Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer to
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