[dreamsfloatjoe]

"On October 11, 2004 Scott and Pam put the Golden Gate Bridge astern in a bid to become the first legally blind people to circumnavigate the world independently in a sailboat. Scott and Pam define this further as sailing their vessel around the world, across all oceans and seaways, without the assistance of sighted crew onboard. However, to minimize the dangers of collision for themselves and others they will allow the assistance from pilot boats once they reach crowded foreign ports, and they will further allow sighted crew onboard during their passage through the Panama Canal as it is a requirement for all vessels to have a qualified advisor and line handlers."

On November 10, 2005 Scott and Pam made sailing history by achieving their first milestone becoming the first legally blind people to cross the Pacific Ocean!

On May 24, 2008 Pam and Scott departed from Newcastle, Australia to continue the Blind Circumnavigation! ...

Reference with pics, audio and videos: Blind Sailing

"Go Pam and Scott Go!

[NYCAP123]

And I'm scared running in the fog. Shame on me. DK how this couple is doing it. DK if it's even prudent. But god bless them and keep them safe.
So much for "disabled".
A friend down your way tells me of a bud (also legally blind) who buzzes around there in his zodiac. Seems the cops stopped him for speeding so he told him the sign wasn't visable.

[Ken Bracewell]

Does anyone else think this sounds reckless and irresponsible?

[NYCAP123]

I haven't had the time to read up totally on this. On the face i'd say yes, and also quite impossible, but I don't know what support they have (equipement, support vessels, etc.). Of course a sailor with complete faculties can easily get killed on a voyage like this but he signs on for it.
Even if they find themselves in the jackpot what they are doing to change the perception of "disabed" is probably more than worth it for them. After all, how many foolhearty things have we done just for the prize of saying we did it and nothing more. I remember when the Gentry Eagle tried for the Atlantic record and their electronics went down. No windows, but they kept going. At least these folks aren't doing 75.
In addition, being blind some of their other senses are heightened so they probably "see" better than a lot of "able-bodied" boaters we've all run across.. So dangerous? Yes, but I doubt they'll pose any more of a risk to others than our regular Sunday sailors. It sounds like they've taken precautions for crowded areas. They've got guts and the spirit of adventure. I say more power to them.

[Ken Bracewell]

I didn't read about any extra precautions and I'd hate to be the guy who runs them down in the middle of the night because they weren't able to see that their running lights are malfunctioning.
I hate to be a sour-puss, but what's next? The first seeing-impared cross country roadtrip in a Mini Cooper S?

[NYCAP123]

What was that Al Pacino movie...scent of a woman? Seriously though, they mentioned about taking on a sighted person in at least some ports and the Panama Canal. Again I haven't read it all, but I get the impression they don't intend to cruise NY harbor without help. As for their running lights burning out we've all seen it with every type of vessel with sighted crew. Nobody checks them every hour throughout the night (although we should). I'd expect them to be extra vigilant about their equipement though as most world cruisers are. Remember also that these people are "legally" blind. That's different from "totally" blind.

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

Remember also that these people are "legally" blind. That's different from "totally" blind.

Try explaining that to the Coast Guard when you apply for a license

No disrespect to these folks, but the whole things just doesn't sound right to me.

[NYCAP123]

Hey Ken,
I think we're arguing symantics. Yes it's a risky proposition, but these are not captains. They're adventurers. Will they get killed? Good chance, but if not they'll have a book deal. It's like the people climbing Everest. They're nuts to me, but I still wish them well, and as long as they don't fall on me......

[Ken Bracewell]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

as long as they don't fall on me......

I guess that's my point. If someone wants to risk their own neck in the name of adventure or exploration, I'm the first to cheer them on.
This thing kinda makes me feel like the Sherpa at the bottom of that precipice

[NYCAP123]

Yeah, but have you ever noticed that the Sherpas always come back alive. They keep their eyes open, depend on their experience and don't tie themselves to fools.