Hi Everyone…
I just wanted to let you know that thanks to you all, Matt will be in good shape as he heads out on the next leg across the Pacific(s).
I just sent out a big heavy box of gear that he needed, along with a few items that didn’t ask for but he will enjoy. The good news ( and a surprise to me ), is that there is a big Safeway store in Dutch harbor, so he will be able to get some fresh supplies taken out. The watermaker should already be there waiting for him. So from here on, he will be co-ordinating with Jeff Hancock, who will be doing the drop. There is a reporter going out with the boat I believe, I reminded her to take a camera….I want to see some pics of the boat…. He sounds in great spirits and as indomitable as ever….For those in the Annapolis area, the Capital is doing a follow up story in Sunday’s paper….
-Simon
15 thoughts on “Resupply Update”
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Simon,
Could Jeff Hancock or the reporter print off a copy of these blog postings & comments to take to Matt? I think Matt would enjoy reading the comments and might want to include some replies in future postings.
Again,
You Rock!
Marlowe
He gets to read them, Mike sends them every couple of weeks by email.
Matt’s going to really enjoy the fresh foods and cookies. While the goodies are sent by mail and the delivery boat, I’m sending Matt my best wishes and prayers for a safe journey. He’s past the toughest of challenges with aplomb and fortitude. I hope what lies ahead brings him great delight.
I’m glad to see the local newspaper get involved more, after all the adventure brings focus and attention to Annapolis. I thought it was odd to see no mention in the “Sailing” page. We need to remember he still faces some tough challenges. Cape Horn and Drakes Passage are almost always stormy and treacherous.
But I betting on success.
David Sterling
The Capital is published online too. I think if you go to http://www.hometownannapolis.com you will find it…..
Fantastic to see that Matt has left so much of Alaska behind already.
I’m an Albin Vega owner and a lot of us are following his progress.
Here’s to warmer waters for 5,000+ miles.
John Kinsella Vega 1447 Breakaway
A trip like this can be such a great learning adventure. Here is one I bet you did not see coming: a lesson in financial responsibility.
I would be interested in having all the various supporters, sponsors, and other benefactors list how much they would be willing to contributes to search, rescue, and recovery (SRR) operations if such should become necessary. Seriously, I do not know whether Rutherford is sufficiently independently wealthy to have set aside any money for SRR, but if he has not such means, then I wonder how much, after his own estate is exhausted, he expects other people to pay on his behalf, and whether his family, friends and supporters are willing to pony up the cash. Or whether he expects “everyone else” (i.e., all the taxpayers that support the Coast Guard and other government agencies involved in this kind of activity) to bear the financial risk associated with his thrill-seeking adventurism.
So go ahead, I challenge you all to list how much of your personal and retirement savings you would give, and how much of your equity in any property you own you would borrow against to fund SRR for Rutherford. And then list how much you think should be spent. And if you and your friends cannot afford it, who do you expect to pay for the rest? And also list whether or not you think it is justifiable to put in peril the lives of Coast Guard and other rescue personnel to indulge Rutherford’s thrill-seeking behavior.
Go ahead.
You apparently don’t know Matt….
After years of paying my taxes that might be the best use of them to date. But I hope it doesn’t come to that!
With all the various needs that government services pay for, Search and Rescue is among the most dangerous and expensive. Search and Rescue at Sea has been a tradition of some nations for centuries and generations of fine men have dedicated themselves to that service.
Matt isn’t the type of sailor to dial 911, however. He’s more likely to rescue another than be rescued.
Yet, his voyage has clear dangers. And were Search and Rescue necessary, I hope it would be provided without considerations. I, for one, have no reservations about our tax dollars being spent for those whose lives inspire us, for adventurers like Matt whose actions, not mere words, lift our spirits and connect us to each other.
If even one person who suffers in anyway reads about Matt and then re-engages the world with a renewed vigor, Matt’s journey is worth all the risk.
Afterall, what is the price of hope? Far greater, I assume, than a Search and Rescue mission.
So, let’s cheer Matt on and return to our mundane lives refreshed and with brighter eyes.
mb,
As I understand it Search and Rescue is undertaken at sea gratus by governments.
Australia has a vast area of the Southern Ocean it is responsible for and has undertaken many long distance rescues. The latest being for Abby Sutherland who became disabled mid Indian Ocean. This involved 3 long range flights by large aircraft and the co-ordination of a French fishing vessel to her position. This is all gratus and I have no objection for our tax dollars being spent on this. One day it might be a large liner in serious trouble and not a single person. I see Abbys rescue as a training exercise for our services. Another incident I recall is that of a large container vessel went to the rescue of an overloaded refugee vessel to the northwest of Aus.
Our Jessica Watson also carried rescue insurance as Marlowe said Matt does.
Hello MB
You point is taken, however a little nieve. There are hundreds boats crossing our oceans as we speak and thousands of cruisers sailing our seas, coasts and inland waterways. There are numerous offshore regattas and rallies every year, extreme around the world races and adventures including record breaking atempts by muti millionaires to the common man or woman. All of whom also pay taxes or have done so until they decided to go cruising and enjoy the fruits of thier labour. Lets not also forget the hundreds of thousand of people who jump onto a cruise ship that ply the oceans every day enjoying the comforts of a vacation earned by hard work and paying taxes or the fishermen, crabbers, lobstermen and commercial trafic who sail the most dangerous seas to make a living and pay taxes….I could go on. We all enjoy and find some sort of thrill in whatever we do or we would not do it. Matts thrill is also benefitting a charitable organization how many of us can say that?
All these people at some point are putting our Coast Gaurd and Rescue Services in danger if and when they head out to a rescue whether we think about it or not, does that mean in your view non of us should go anywhere near water or the water is soley for the use of commercialism and not recreation. Don’t misunderstand me too many of us head out into the deep blue, snowy mountains, or sky seeking a thrill / adventure without much preperation or knowledge of what we’re doing and this is dangerous and not recomended….However Matt is not one of them! Also where would the world be today if it weren’t for adventurers and explorers….oh that’s right still thinking the world is flat and living in euorpe.
In conclusion allow Matt to continue his amazing adventure and collecting donations for CRAB whilst writting incridible blogs and taking fantastic photos while we ride along.
Julian
I have been a 5th grade teacher for years and years. Matt has Search and Rescue Insurance through Google (as strange as that sounds). Matt was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and chances are, if someone did try/to rescue him, he would turn down their offer.
Bottom line, mb, your posting struck me as childish and jealous. Perhaps that isn’t kind on my part, however I can tell you that I would rather Matt braved the sea alone than grow up bitter because he never followed his dream.
Shortly before Matt departed Annapolis, we sat together on a bench overlooking this small boat that has carried him so valiantly. We sat for a while without speaking. Finally, I said, “Matt, I am 100% behind you even though this is dangerous and it scares me. The only way I can get through this is to tell you goodbye. I love you, and I hope I can see you here in Annapolis when you return safely.”
Marlowe, you are an AWSOME mom! I know how much this adventure Matt is pursuing must make you nervous but just knowing him through his blogs I know he will finish. In fact, I’m so confident that I am raising my donation to CRAB to .10 per mile.
I hope that I can someday either volunteer my time at CRAB or help some other organization. One of my biggest satisfaction is helping others. Matt, you have rekindled that spirit in me.
Duane
I know this is late, but it would have been a nice idea to get in touch with the producers of Dealiest Catch to see of one of their cast crab boats could do the supply drop off. It would have been great publicity for Matt’s trip and no doubt a donation boon for CRAB. I guess I’ll have to say on top of this blog better.