6th day since delivery. Today, I,Rikutsu-Kone-Taro, successfully completed my first solo voyage. The assistance from the marina staff was limited to taking the initial mooring line when I docked. Other than that, I managed everything on my own, like a Rikutsu-Kone-Taro.
It’s the kind of feeling that says, “I can do this alone!”
Although it’s called a voyage, it was more like leaving the marina, cruising a bit in the nearby sea, practicing docking at the guest berth, and returning to my own berth – that’s it.
Including preparations for departure, the voyage, and post-docking arrangements, it was a five-hour solo operation.
With sufficient pre-research, appropriate simulations, and careful step-by-step work, even a paper captain like me could handle a boat of just under 30 feet.
However, I must emphasize the significant impact of the marina staff’s onboard lecture during delivery. Without their extensive knowledge of seamanship and boat mechanics, it would have been challenging for Rikutsu-Kone-Taro to embark on a solo voyage this early, relying solely on research and imagination.
This staff member, well-versed in boat handling and mechanisms, provided valuable and precise guidance and advice. Today’s first solo can be considered a faithful reproduction of what he taught during the onboard lecture; it was that excellent.
I recorded almost the entire onboard lecture with a GoPro, and the ability to review it multiple times after returning home is noteworthy. Memorizing is inaccurate, and the progress is too fast to take notes due to the vast amount of content.
There were many realizations regarding this first solo voyage, and I plan to document them on a separate page. Similar to “Rikutsu-Kone-Taro,” I believe it can be useful for paper captains planning their boat debuts deep in their hearts someday.
But for now, let’s express the joy of completing the first solo voyage with some images.
Yahoo! That’s all for this time.
Postscript: The next day, I successfully completed a voyage without any assistance from marina staff. However, complacency is not allowed. To master new skills, concentrated practice is necessary. The weather forecast predicts clear skies tomorrow. Another day of practice!
Postscript 2: Furthermore, the day after that, which is two days after the first solo voyage. I couldn’t dock at the mooring berth on my own, and passing boat owners and marina staff kindly assisted with ropes for a safe mooring. The wind was strong within the marina this time, and my boat was drifting. I reflected and learned that in such situations, I should have proactively called the marina beforehand and requested assistance from the staff while at sea.
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