The world lost another circumnavigator today. His name was Bill, he'd done his trip in a Cape Dory 28, east to west, via Panama and the Red Sea/Suez. I don't know his last name, nor that of the CD28, but his current vessel - a upper 30'ish steel ketch built in Canada - has been here at the marina for several months, and he's stayed on her intermittently. I've only gotten to speak with him a few times, enough for a little background. The last anyone spoke with him was a bit after lunch, when he'd been seen working on his boat. A guest at the hotel walking the docks just after sunset noticed his engine was running but there didn't seem to be anyone aboard; no lights, and no noise other than the engine idling. After hailing and receiving no response, they looked into the cockpit and saw Bill, slouched down on the cockpit sole, just behind the wheel.
I went over and helped the police and coroner as much as possible, and after they took away the ships master, put her to bed for the old fella one last time.
Fair Winds and Godspeed, Bill.
What better place to be, when going to Fiddlers Green.
sounds like he lived the dream right to the end
Will raise a glass to Bill. Sounds like he was right where he was supposed to be, in the cockpit of his boat. Maybe that engine was running to begin one last journey.
Fair Winds, Bill.
Bill may be hull down to this world, but he is hull up to a better place.
Godspeed Bill.
Fair Winds, Bill. I'll say your name aboard my Cape Dory 28 this weekend.
T