14 jun '26: going public

 It is well known among those who study solo Transatlantic small boat sailors, that publicity means death to the mission.

In the 1990s Hugo Vihlen, who had made a record crossing about 30 years previously, was making a publicised reattempt. But this drew the attention of the US Coastguard and a dance ensued, authorities trying to thwart the voyage,the boat and Vihlen, and Vihlen himself who fled to the boarder to escape their clutches. In Canadian waters, the wearther was too light. 

"Father's Day was originally built at 5 feet 6 inches long. On Vihlen's first attempt out of St. John's, Newfoundland, he met his rival and newfound friend Tom McNally who was also pursuing the record of crossing the North Atlantic from West to East. Tom's boat the, Big C, was 1½ inches smaller than the Father's Day. The first attempt out of Cape Cod was thwarted by the U.S. Coast Guard. Vihlen decided to leave from Canada where the distance was shorter, the currents were closer and the U.S. Coast Guard was absent". (Ref: Wikipedia)

This of course was not the first or last attempt by the US Coastguard to crush dreams. I read of a small boat sailor asking the US Coastguard for a tow ashore so he could effect a small repair, but got into a tussle with the US Coastguard. They "don't do tows" & ordered said sailor to abandon ship. Presumably they would then sink or abandon the vessel. 

Enter "Big C".

Last week an experienced solo Trsnsat sailor Anthony Bedwell set off to cross in a 100cm boat to takr the record from Vihlen & raise funds for cancer research. Note, that his plans were very well publicized, more to raise funds, than his social media ratings. However, three days in a " fluke accident" occurred that required him to return & effect a repair before resuming his crossing.

Bedwell said: “I was hopeful that the boat could be towed back in, but unfortunately that did not prove to be possible and sadly we had to abandon the boat at sea".

The Canadian Coastguards publicity was quite clear. On receiving the request they proceeded with the intent to retrieve Bedwell, not Bic C Challenge. 

So, my reader, if you should plan to undertake a voyage in your little boat, don't tell anyone. The great tradition among solo ocean sailors since the Blondie Hasler era  is to do your best at self-rescue or die in dignity.