MARITIME SUPERSTITIONS

[1stMateK8]

I love the superstitions!!!!! I was never superstitious until I set out for my first sailing adventure in the spring of 2006. We left on the last Friday in May and the engine went kaput so we turned around and sailed back. Thought the problem had been taken care of (it wasn't our boat, just helping a friend get her down island) and left again on June 6th (6/6/06) lost the engine again but kept going because we're a SAILboat after all. Immediatly started hitting squall after squall after squall. Was almost run over by a cargo ship. Had a cruiseship setting off fireworks and the wind sent the embers down on us. Had a small fire start in an extension cord connected to a portable battery charger. The captain wouldn't sail with any lights because he was afraid it would run down the batteries. Lost the autopilot. Had a gerry can spring a leak. Oh, there was sooo much more all in squally 10 to 15 foot seas, but since it was my first sailing experience outside of daysail jaunts around the V.I.s I didn't know it wasn't supposed to go like that. Exactly 72 hours later we made it to SXM. And from there the trip went from bad to worse.
Amazingly I still dream of having my own boat to live on and sail.

[David M]

I figure the superstitions are colorful and interesting but of course doubtful of their truth....but if by some miracle any of them are true, then why take chances? I have fun playing along with them and telling others about them. It's all in fun.