In RL sailing nothing happens - not a regatta, not a daysail, not an offshore passage - without a sometimes visible but more often than not transparent web of supporting organizations and individuals. At one end of the spectrum are military or governmental entities, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, formed to serve and protect citizens afloat…of course they’ll take issue with you pumping your head overboard as well but hey, that’s part of the charm! At the other end are individuals like Herb…a dedicated passagemaking consultant known far and wide to sailors venturing offshore for points south of the Northeast U.S. You can read more about him here. In between we have a host of volunteers, enthusiasts, instructors and sail makers, to name a few. A multitude of characters without whom the sport and past time of RL sailing would not be possible.
In a similar way we have a group of dedicated organizations and individuals in SL Sailing who make the regattas happen, design the craft we race and cruise with, grow and maintain the sims we sail upon, foster the communities that organize and advocate for the issues that our important to SL sailors, capture photos and video that showcase our virtual sport, teach newbies how to tack, report on the races and events in the SL sailing community, patrol the waters of SL in order to map and survey the navigable areas…wait a second, we have an SL Coast gaurd? Well, yes…
Witness Captain RJ of the SL Coast Guard on a mapping mission with his trusty 1st mate ;-) Note the use of the proper PDF gear in the event that RJ hits a reef and holes his cutter.
As we begin a new year with high hopes that we’ll continue to see the SL sailing community grow and thrive…I think that it’s the right thing to take a moment to recognize and thank the many, many people who have been instrumental to our strength and solidarity. Most of them are volunteers and even the ones who earn $$ from the community are dedicated enthusistas who add tremendous value. Kudos to all of you and keep it up! I have a feeling that 2008 is going to be one hell of a ride.
Fair winds,
LL
5 responses so far ↓
1 Elisha Paklena // Jan 8, 2008 at 9:27 am
There’s an SL Coast Guard?
I must contact them for an affiliation
Me and Indigo Mertel are the Mowry Bay Coast Guard, and I’m involved in my own mapping project 
2 jane fossett // Jan 8, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Yes Virginia, there is an SL Coast Guard.
In fact, RJ Kikuchiyo even holds the title of “Coast Guard Liason” at NYC.
There’s also a Light House Board organized by RJ.
As the rest of us bicker about Havok 1 versus Havok 4,
and bitch about what ever happened to Havok 2&3…
It’s nice to know RJ is out there managing the lit beacons,
and preserving safe, navigable waterways for all of us
who venture out in our frail vessels
over the trecherous seas of Second Life.
3 jane fossett // Jan 9, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Snapshot of the Coast Guard paying a courtesy call to the NYC Clubhouse this week.
4 Semper Paratus // Jan 26, 2008 at 2:04 am
“Always Prepared” is the motto of our SL Coasties, and the collective experience of all involved make the SLCG a vital part of maintaining navigable waterways in Second Life. Veterans and members of the US Coast Guard are members, however the SL Coast Guard has no affiliations to any governmental organization. It may be worthy to note that missions for Aid To Navigation Patrols are ongoing and all are invited to participate in this mapping and needs identification exercise. Please contact RJ Kikuchiyo or Lex Lian inworld for recruitment info! - and keep a sharp eye out for our fellow boaters in SL! Remember the order of give-way or stand-on vessels:
Seaplanes give way to…
Vessels powered by Machinery, give way to…
Vessels powered by Sail alone, give way to…
Vessels engaged in Fleet operations, give way to…
Vessels Constrained by Draft, give way to…
Vessels Restricted in their Ability to Maneuver, give way to…
Vessels Not Under Command.
Practice these RL rules of the road in SL and we are all safer for it!
5 Delinda Dyrssen // Jan 28, 2008 at 8:17 pm
AMEN!
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