Normally, when crossing the equator for the first time, more experienced sailors have been known to engage in some embarrassing rituals directed against the first timers aboard a vessel. There are elaborate ceremonies often sending some of a bottle of the best spirits aboard to Neptune's Lair below. An attempt is often made historically to acknowledge the supremacy of Poseidon or his equivalent, with thanks for having made it this far to the underside side of the planet. On the good ship Anne, Reid and Soanya dressed up in their Sunday best and posed for a photo to send back to their many thousands of fans around the world.
No forced dunkings, bad costumes, or the general horseplay that on land usually remains in the confines of frat house. Here the newbie, sweet Soanya, posed in a yellow dress worthy of stroll down a promenade, alongside her very able bodied seaman and Captain of her ship.
Many predicted with derision that this ship would ne'er leave the dock. Most said he'd never make it even if by some rare chance he did leave at all. Only the few thought he should could or even would continue on after the Maersk freighter hit his ship in the middle of the night, taking out the bowsprit and not their combined spirit.
This is a mighty couple, united in an effort lacking in historical precedent perhaps. Quixotic to some, romantic to most, and difficult to accomplish to all- this attempt at sailing for one thousand straight days around the world without stopping or outside assistance and away from land- is being laughed at less by the many who see them carry on with grace and aplomb.
Reid's devoted seamanship in the face of potential distress is becoming well recognized by the many thousands of daily followers around the globe. Soanya's increasing comfort with life at sea as she gains experience riding the blue and green watery earth is indeed apparent.
They were buzzed by a Navy Jet shortly after they took off from the dock, this to warn them they were entering a practice live firing zone at sea. Then they lost both their forestays and roller furling in the collision at sea where there bowsprit was mangled by a dark hulled three hundred foot freighter in the obsidian night.
Hove-to for weeks to make repairs, they have sailed on undaunted, and now have finally crossed the Equator after 90 adventuresome days at sea.
Now they are on their way, slowly and without a strict timetable, towards the Southern Ocean. This is the truest test of seamanship on the planet. Reid has been there many times already. His ship is built for it, and despite appearances to some, so is he. The adventure is only beginning.