2008 SHTP Bug Lighters

[sleddog]

7/20/10

Making a new friend mid-ocean is an unlikely event. Especially when I am solo sailing home from the '08 SHTP and he is captain of a 1067 foot, 100,000 horsepower container ship returning from China to the West Coast.

I first met Ivo (Capt. Ivo Hzrua, Czech Republic) Sept.1, 2008 on the bridge of the MSC TORONTO minutes after he had deftly manuvered his massive ship alongside WILDFLOWER. In gale conditions I managed to climb the pilot's ladder and board the TORONTO, leaving "FLEUR" forever behind.

Now, almost two years later, Ivo and I remain good friends. Ivo's job brings the MSC TORONTO to SF Bay every 6 weeks. For 12 hours we get together, tell stories, ride bikes, hike, kayak, swim, and generally enjoy our time together like two sailors ashore in the same port.

I salute Capt.Ivo, his crew and ship. Our original meeting was something of chance. But sailors helping sailors still remains a tradition of the sea.