Jester In Haliax, Nova Scotia

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  • 13 Oct 2016 22:14
    Reply # 4304540 on 4298926
    Deleted user
    Great line, Arne!

    There's a pretty complete catalogue of fears that impact me, and my very limited experience of singlehanding has brought out fears of containers, freighters, lee shores and storms. There are also fears that don't draw blood, and they are the ones that hold me back: fears of looking foolish, of humiliation, of failure, of opening myself to my own vulnerabilities. I struggle with those because of the danger of growing old without having an example of courage and a risk taken. 

    I sat in the cabin of my previous sailboat after weathering a storm that frightened me beyond all measure, writing down what could have been done to make the experience different. My boat was typical: it had a cabin, but to operate the boat itself there was not a single function that could be done from its safety. From steering at the stern to looking out in the cockpit to handling the jib at the bow, the skipper was obligated to be all over the boat. I wanted a greater symbiosis between the operator and boat; starting again, I wanted to put the confidence, assurance and calmness of the crew as the focus of the design.

    Metaphorically, I had snatches of a melody in my head. Ashore, I went searching and soon found Jester. It was like hearing the entire song being played on the radio. Blondie had the answers, and by reputation he didn't have to feel fear to get there. 

  • 13 Oct 2016 15:26
    Reply # 4303956 on 4298926
    Deleted user

    It's true that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.  That ain't courage, it's stupidity.

    But when knowledge, real knowledge, creates fear - that's when courage starts.  Courage goes along with smart, informed, careful, responsible, capable, mature, fearful.

     

  • 13 Oct 2016 09:15
    Reply # 4303411 on 4298926
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Folks,
    your saying about courage and fear makes a lot of sense to me. Up here on 59°N we too distinguish between being courageous and being fearless/reckless.

    We sometimes say  -  only half seriously:

    A pessimist is an optimist
    with experience...

    Cheers, Arne

     


  • 13 Oct 2016 08:40
    Reply # 4303365 on 4299933
    Bryan Tuffnell wrote:
    Possibly you were here too, David?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-WfFCi6Ir4

    Jetser appears several times; Mike is interviewed at 13:40, standing in Jester's hatch.

    Thanks for sharing this video, Bryan.  I enjoyed the entire film with its inside story of two sailors in the 1980 OSTAR, and particularly the brief footage of Mike Richey which enriches my view of him as an individual.  Wonderful voice and a great head of hair!  I wish we'd seen more of him, of course, and wish even more that someone had made a documentary about him, or even better, written a sailing biography.  His logbooks must be preserved somewhere, so it could happen.  I'd do it if I had access to the material.  Perhaps the JRA would publish it?  Pipe dreams, but a nice idea to contemplate.
    Last modified: 13 Oct 2016 08:40 | Anonymous member
  • 12 Oct 2016 00:38
    Reply # 4301222 on 4300945
    Annie Hill wrote:
    Chris Gallienne wrote:
    Graham Cox wrote:Courage may be more about taking action despite one's fears

    I've always though that was the right definition, Graham.

    I couldn't agree more.  It was when I first realised this that I stopped being ashamed of being frightened and started taking a pride in overcoming my fears.  (I still spend a lot of time being frightened having a very over-active imagination!)
    Have to agree with this... I spend a lot of time being frightened.
  • 11 Oct 2016 21:33
    Reply # 4300945 on 4299932
    Chris Gallienne wrote:
    Graham Cox wrote:Courage may be more about taking action despite one's fears

    I've always though that was the right definition, Graham.

    I couldn't agree more.  It was when I first realised this that I stopped being ashamed of being frightened and started taking a pride in overcoming my fears.  (I still spend a lot of time being frightened having a very over-active imagination!)
  • 11 Oct 2016 09:28
    Reply # 4299933 on 4299924
    Deleted user
    David Tyler wrote:

    I had the privilege of helping Mike Richey to get the Jester replica fit to start the OSTAR, on two occasions, if I remember correctly. I wonder whether the nerves are similar to those I felt before an ocean passage - not so much about courage and fear, as being preoccupied in running though one's mental checklists and thinking "have I done everything I meant to do in the way of preparation?" And in the case of the OSTAR, having to fend off the media's video cameras that are being thrust in one's face while making one's final preparations. That was certainly a good demonstration of how to be graceful and dignified under pressure.

    Possibly you were here too, David?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-WfFCi6Ir4

    Jetser appears several times; Mike is interviewed at 13:40, standing in Jester's hatch.

  • 11 Oct 2016 09:27
    Reply # 4299932 on 4299903
    Deleted user
    Graham Cox wrote:Courage may be more about taking action despite one's fears

    I've always though that was the right definition, Graham. When my (rather timid) 10-year-old daughter sails with me she is often frightened, and gets upset by that fact. I tell her that being brave is not the same as not being frightened, but about being able to do what is necessary despite being frightened.

    A bit of fear when doing something dangerous is pretty healthy and useful - lack of it seems to me, at best, to indicate a lack of imagination.

    Chris

  • 11 Oct 2016 09:18
    Reply # 4299924 on 4298926

    I had the privilege of helping Mike Richey to get the Jester replica fit to start the OSTAR, on two occasions, if I remember correctly. I wonder whether the nerves are similar to those I felt before an ocean passage - not so much about courage and fear, as being preoccupied in running though one's mental checklists and thinking "have I done everything I meant to do in the way of preparation?" And in the case of the OSTAR, having to fend off the media's video cameras that are being thrust in one's face while making one's final preparations. That was certainly a good demonstration of how to be graceful and dignified under pressure.

  • 11 Oct 2016 08:56
    Reply # 4299903 on 4298926

    Thanks Jim.  I remember that photo now.  I used it in my HOF article about Mike but didn't know who to attribute it to.  Your comment about him being a bit nervous on the day he left interests me.  Courage may be more about taking action despite one's fears rather than being fearless.  David Lewis used to get nervous too, despite embarking on some of the most audacious voyages imaginable.  Recently, Webb Chiles, another veteran of audacious voyaging, mentioned to me that he has difficulty sleeping on the night before he sets off on a long passage.  This from a man who is currently engaged on his 6th circumnavigation.

    Last modified: 11 Oct 2016 09:00 | Anonymous member
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