By this point in her current journey, SEA CHILD has covered over 1000 sea miles in the Caribbean Sea. She has been around the world, this being her 2nd voyage. The sail to Colombia was a true testament as to the power of SEA CHILD. Many sailors have tried to sail the route from Aruba to Cartagena, many have succeeded and many have turned back. But SEA CHILD persevered, pushing onward into the timeless blue of the ocean, on this crossing, one of the most treacherous crossings on the planet. This is her story.
The sea knows no time. There are no clocks at sea, no sense of the passage, no measurement of age. The sun rises, the sun sets, the only sign that one watch has passed and another begins. Throughout this basic system, the sea remains alive, swells rising and falling, passing passing and growing again. The winds whisper across the tops of each swell, pushing white spray and salt. The experience of this life force can only be realized by being a part of this motion, this push through the waves. And SEA CHILD responds with beauty and grace.
The breeze continues to build, first 10 knots, then 15 knots, then 20, steady at 25 for hours. The seas are flat and fast, SEA CHILD finds herself skirting along at a comfortable 15 knots with a single reef main and big jib hoisted. Leaving the dust of Aruba behind, the sunset awaits the arrival of SEA CHILD, bringing along with it a visiting pod of dolphins. The seas continue to build, first to 3’ then to 5’ and upwards they build. The darkening sky shows no sign of moon, SEA CHILD last saw the man in the sky on her crossing to Bonaire one week ago.
Safely, securely, SEA CHILD rides the waves and pushes downwind. Her rigging sings at 16 knots, the breeze playing a harmony. The ocean shows her personality, her attitude at the opportunity of playing with SEA CHILD. Surf, slide, ride the waves, she beckons, calling SEA CHILD out and testing her wits. The game continues, the ocean and the vessel, each with their own agenda. Yet the ocean knows no time, no sense of urgency in her presence. The ocean allows SEA CHILD to play on her terms, not those set by the vessel. A true test of wits.
For two days SEA CHILD keeps her focus, playing a game with the sea. She takes on the biggest wind, the giant swells, and continues to take her sailor-passengers, safely to the next port. The ocean, sensing this challenge, continues to throw winds from the east, from the west, from the shore, from the lands past. And still, SEA CHILD responds. A wind shift, the jib goes to port. Another shift, the jib goes to starboard. No problem for the sailors who harness the power of SEA CHILD. 410 miles she sails, jibing back and forth to stay on course.
It is said that no man can conquer the sea, that man is only a visitor at the whims of her power. Arriving at Cartagena, Colombia, 42 hours later gives a sense of accomplishment to those aboard SEA CHILD. The ocean continues to howl at night offshore from the Old Towne in Cartagena, calling out to those who listen to her song. Alive, strong, powerful and tranquil, the ocean allows visitors, sometimes for great lengths of time and other times for short bursts. A strong will, a good vessel. SEA CHILD, all 56’ of her, is the right vessel for this test of courage.
The wind is the energy and the ocean is the life. SEA CHILD plays upon the mood of the ocean, in this case, the Caribbean Sea. She uses the winds to her advantage, unleashing her power and attitude at the challenge this ocean brings. Like the stallion that she is, SEA CHILD is well equipped for surfing the largest waves. Surfers search the planet for the best waves, be they in Fiji, Turks & Caicos, or Panama. SEA CHILD has the ability to surf those giants of the ocean, those waves who have traveled a great distance from foreign waters. The steep, close waves of the Caribbean, those giants offshore Colombia. Many sailors are intimidated by this ocean energy, amplified by the rising winds, but those aboard SEA CHILD remain confident.
SEA CHILD knows the power of these ocean giants, and responds to their force with speed and ability. She sits now in Cartagena, Colombia, being polished and waxed. Her spa treatment continues for two days, stainless bright in the sunlight, cabin top waxed to perfection. She knows that tomorrow will bring another leg, another crossing to San Blas. Another opportunity to play with the big boys, out on the open ocean of the Caribbean Sea.
