Dedicated to Boatman Mark

This morning as we cast off our dock lines and leave Fort Pierce, Florida to begin our Great Loop, we dedicate this trip to our friend Boatman Mark, a friend we’ve not even met.

Five years ago Cathryn had a couple fainting episodes at work (in blog reader Gary’s office), and a couple months later ended up with a pacemaker.  Having always thought of herself as healthy and athletic, this was quite a shock. 18 months and 4 surgeries later, life returned completely to normal, but for awhile there, it was sometimes tough. To help cope, she joined an online forum for people with pacemakers. And that’s where Boatman Mark comes in.

This online forum is a place where folks post questions or information that might be helpful to others and establish friendships with other people with pacemakers. Cathryn had a long-time telephone friendship with Amy from Pittsburgh and even met Dominique from Denver a couple of times. She and Boatman Mark found they had lots in common and have had an email friendship since then, never talking on the telephone or meeting. Mark is the same age as Cathryn and got his pacemaker about the same time. His wife is named Kathryn, and they have two sons the same ages as our daughters. Mark and Kathy live on Long Island, and Mark has been a life-long boater who now owns a 30-foot Pursuit Express named “Keeper”.

He’s also a scuba diver (as are both of us) and is retired from the Coast Guard.  Mark is a military hero who has been involved in helping deal with a number of terrible incidents in America’s modern history, including the aftermath of 9/11.

Two years ago Cathryn asked Mark about his retirement plans after his wife Kathy stops teaching.  He wrote enthusiastically about something called The Great Loop, a journey he hopes to make. Cathryn Googled “The Great Loop”, and the rest is history: here we are beginning that journey! During our 18 months of Loop planning, Mark repeatedly offered us advice on types of boats to consider buying, and which diesel engines have great reputations and which ones to avoid.  He was a great resource when we got our boat survey done prior to closing the purchase on “Next To Me”.  He advised us about sea strainers, fuel manifolds and myriad other technical topics.

Our route north will take us up the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway to New York City where we plan to anchor out behind the Statue of Liberty the night before entering the city’s harbor on the Hudson River to continue north to the Great Lakes. Before we pass NYC, we will meet Mark and Kathy for dinner on Long Island or in NYC. We have much to thank Mark for, as this trip would not be happening if not for him.  So . . . . here’s to Boatman Mark, a true friend, even though we’ve yet to meet. Thank you, Mark, for inspiring the dream that led to our 2012 great adventure!