Posts by john.hagen12

Preparing for the trip north after a balmy Caribbean winter requires careful planning, considering the drastic change in weather. I use a weather app that forecasts my NYC trip’s duration and gives me a comprehensive weather report along the way, including expected temperatures, precipitation, and wind speeds. The app predicts a 6.13-day journey if I Read More

The laparoscopic image on the monitor went black. The image had vanished from the screen. “Can someone fix this?” yelled the surgeon. “I’ve got bleeding. I need to control it! Hurry!” A flurry of activity resulted, with people rushing around and shouting instructions. In a blur of motion, the nurse sprinted to the monitor, the Read More

The gentle wind had S/V Ileana heeled at a comfortable 15 degrees as we sailed to Los Haitises National park across the bay of Samana. In the Dominican Republic, even when the Armada has processed the boat papers upon arrival, it is necessary to get their permission before moving the boat to another place. Shep, Read More

A 22-knot wind had shifted to the southeast, coming from behind us. It was dark; the sun having set three hours ago. I was alone in the cockpit, Marco and Matthew were catching up on their rest below deck before their three-hour shift later in the night. The enormous Code Zero sail remained hoisted, propelling Read More

“I need to see their passports before I can sign these departure papers,” said the customs officer shaking his head. He glanced at me like I was an idiot and should know these things. I was sitting in front of him with in the British Virgin Islands customs office. “When I called earlier, someone told Read More

Approaching the dock in Nanny Cay Marina was easy; the colourful buildings gleamed in the sunlight, and the sound of happy chatter drifted from the nearby restaurants. They assigned me to dock D3, a bustling hub of activity with the sounds of seagulls and the salty smell of the ocean. With a deep breath, all Read More

In St. Martin, the aroma of French pastries filled the air, contrasting with the salty breeze from spectacular beaches and fiery sunsets. The central location of the Marigot marina allowed us easy access to French cultural experiences, from the vibrant sounds of the market to the delicious smells of traditional cuisine. View from our dock Read More

A strong wind blew steadily from the Northeast. As we departed from the charming Jolly Harbor in Antigua, the sun was just beginning to appear on the horizon, its rays only faintly illuminating the sky. It was Barbuda, an island rendered iconic by the late Princess Diana’s fondness for its secluded shores, that we had Read More

I ran into a fishing net with buoys sailing to Antigua off the coast of Barbuda. It was wrapped around the propeller, rudder, and keel. I lost all ability to steer. In the middle of the night, it was pitch black. The seas were rough, and the wind was howling. A strong wind and current Read More

“We have a problem,” said Jeff. I had passed out on my bunk after finishing my shift at 1 a.m. when he awoke me. What now? I thought. The boat was gently rocking on the swells and the soft sound of slicing through the seas seemed to indicate the boat was moving well. I quickly Read More