Category Archives: sailing

Flashback

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Shay

Searching through some old emails, I came across one I had sent on Aug. 21, 2009, to report on the condition of the regional Sea Scout Training Vessel DER PELIKAN, which had an unfortunate encounter with the Kent Narrows Bridge … Continue reading →

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Another dream to live

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Shay

At exactly this moment three years and three months ago, I was heading on a night-long trip down the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal aboard the 125′ schooner LIBERTY CLIPPER. This was the first leg of what would become a two-week … Continue reading →

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The soldier sails a tugboat

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Shay

Only one boat, NORFOLK REBEL, could simultaneously meet a young Iraq veteran’s two dreams: to sail and to drive a tugboat. Thanks to the kindness of Captain Steve Briggs, Will Williamson piloted the “Tugantine” on the Elizabeth River while under power, and then under … Continue reading →

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The soldier-sailor at the yacht club dinner

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Shay

I invited Will, the soldier-sailor who is battling leukemia, to be my guest at Quantico Yacht Club’s annual holiday party and change of watch last night. His ride from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center fell through, he decided to take … Continue reading →

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Operation “Sailing Angel”

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Shay

The morning of Wednesday, October 23, 2013 saw the dream of a young Iraq vet come into reality. That day, Will Williamson, a 25-year-old soldier who is battling his second round of leukemia, stepped aboard the beautiful Beneteau 49, LIQUIDITY, … Continue reading →

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When asked to make a dream come true, you say “Yes!”

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Shay

What do you do when asked to make a dream come true for a young veteran of the Iraq war, who is battling leukemia that was likely caused by the spent uranium spread by US munitions in the region? First, … Continue reading →

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The soldier wants to be a sailor

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Shay

On a recent evening I left work an hour early to drive to a federal medical facility, where I passed through a security clearance that included a vehicle search, purse inspection and my walking through a metal detector. Afterward, I … Continue reading →

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To sail tall ships

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Shay

  Being a sailor, having sailed tall ships and feeding dreams of sailing them further, I have thought much about last month’s sinking of the HMS BOUNTY and the tragic loss of life that day. I never met Claudene Christian, … Continue reading →

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Sailing with Sea Nanners

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Shay

Some of my friends have recently asked why I am still involved with Sea Scouts, even though I officially retired from the skipper (unit leader) position some time ago. I stay involved because of the Sea Nanners. Though it has … Continue reading →

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Masters of the Potomac

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Shay

At about two o’clock this morning, I was holding the wheel of a 31′ sailboat as she glided almost silently across the water in the middle of the night. We were sailing beneath a black sky smudged with white clouds, … Continue reading →

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