The View from the Helm

The Journey is the Destination

Jupiter would contend if she could, that it matters not where she sails as long as there’s diesel in the tank and a couple of fathoms of water under the keel. Although we sometimes settle on a destination it is merely to give us a direction in which to travel.

The purpose and the pleasure are the journey. We occasionally find thematic interest in creatures of the deep and characters along the shore, following rumors and innuendo in an otiose quest for answers without questions, mysteries with no clues. Life embodies a similar aspect. Failing to enjoy the whole of it, in hopes of some glorious objective, seems destined to disappoint.

Allusive Ahead

The crew is entranced by prospects of the Northwest’s aspiring peaks often disappearing into a haze of grey mizzle. The near is clear, the far is glaucous and opaque.

We are reminded not to plan too far ahead, to focus on the imminent and surrender certainty about what happens thereafter.

Weather forecasting is similarly limiting. Today and tomorrow we can usually count on accurate wind, rain and wave height predictions, but conditions beyond are dependant on too many atmospheric variables to anticipate the highs and lows that might result.

Dependably, the view and the weather will change. And it will rain.

Unforeseen Events

Boats, like bodies, are made up of complex interdependent systems. Maintaining everything in good working order is essential.

Despite best efforts at prophylactic and underway maintenance, Jupiter or her crew can and will suffer failures. A leaky or failing fitting, an electric short or a fouled filter can initiate cascading troubles much like a cut hand might lead to the inability to hold onto a line or fender at a critical juncture.

Jupiter has redundant systems and carries ambitious quantities of spare parts, tools, medical, rescue and survival gear, and layers of communications, none of which can overcome carelessness, inattention and manifold human errors waiting to ruin everything..

The Sea as Sensei

The paradoxical ocean supports Jupiter afloat and at anchor, twisting and turning us on tides and waves to proffer manifold panoramic prospects. The ocean feels stubbornly solid and gives you a good pounding when she will. The sea can hold you afloat or send you to the bottom.

Some days the ocean is quiet, gently massaging beaches into susurrous submission, and others full of wrath, hurling herself onto rocky shores. What she does best is make us feel small, yet the ocean enfolds us in her cunning embrace, lowering stress and raising wellbeing for those who live within her welkin.

Risk and Reward

Respect, humility, and subordination of one’s own needs to those of the ship are traits organically learned on sea voyages. These are learned in life also, but without the persistent foundation of risk they are perhaps slower grown on land. We rely on modern electronics for navigation, but know they can fail. We rely on the engines, inverters, batteries, heaters, pumps and sumps. The role of chance is more palpable in life at sea and so we rely heavily on each other. We sail beyond the reach of the jittery cacophony of life and there is great relief in that.