A trip of some six thousand miles is an unbelievable adventure but none the same a daunting task and so we've invited two special individuals to share this exciting experience with us: Janet Lachman and Gary Smith
Janet
Gary
Just about ten years ago the original Shearwater moved to Houston and began to host new sailors who signed up for Leisure Learning sailing classes. Janet Lachman booked one of these weekend classes with four legal profession colleagues and began a friendship that has strengthened each year. Starting as a promising student (she promised to get my lemon power boat replaced – and did), she progressed to owner/operator of her own lovely 38-foot Irwin center cockpit cutter.
Janet joined the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and qualified as a Search and Rescue specialist plus several other areas. I hope she has some pull with the Coast Guard if we ever need it during the ocean crossing.
Gary Smith
Gary Smith is also an owner/operator of an Irwin 38 center cockpit sloop. Gary is a seasoned sailor and powerboat operator with 45 years experience on the water. Time goes by quickly in heavy weather. For almost 20 years, Gary cruised the eastern end of Long Island through the western end of Cape Cod, a lovely area we hope to visit with the Shearwater II. Gary delivered sailboats for a charter company, qualifying him for any future mission.
The Shearwater II is blessed with a very well educated and trained crew for her shakedown voyage. Gary is especially well educated with all USPS courses and electives through Navigator in his accomplishment folder. More than just training and experience, Janet says Gary is a “good skipper,” the highest award granted in civilian sailing.
If you would like to be part of the crew of the Shearwater II for a leg of the trip from Trinidad to Palm Beach, drop us some e/mail and let us know when you have some free time. It is hard work but someone has to do it.
