Mothersday in Siracusa
Hello everyone! Today, we’re excited to share our Mother’s Day adventure in the beautiful city of Syracuse, located on the stunning coast of Sicily. Mother’s Day is the one day of the year that I look forward to the most. It’s my favorite because it’s all about celebrating moms, and my family always makes it special for me.
The day started with a delightful breakfast in bed, lots of cuddles, and the sweetest words from our youngest, “Mama, when you get older and become a grandma, I’ll make you a mama again because I want you to be my mama forever.” Cue the mama tears!
Boat Life and Daily Chores
But, as with any day on a boat, there are always tasks that need to be done. We began our morning with some hull cleaning to keep our beloved vessel, Luna, in top shape. Our neighbors were having trouble with their watermaker pump, so my captain put on his repairman’s hat and helped fix it.
Once the boat chores were finished, we headed into town for some much-anticipated Mother’s Day fun.
Exploring Syracuse
Syracuse, or as the Italians call it, Siracusa, is a true gem. The city is steeped in history and boasts magnificent architecture at every turn. Each building, with its intricate design and timeless elegance, tells a story of a bygone era. Walking through the narrow streets, you can’t help but be captivated by the beauty that surrounds you.
And the food! It’s absolutely divine – everything you’d expect from an Italian paradise. Every meal is a delightful explosion of flavors, from the freshest seafood to the most delicious pasta dishes. It’s a culinary adventure that tantalizes your taste buds and leaves you craving more. However, we have to be mindful – if we indulge too much, we might need a whole new wardrobe! The temptations are endless, and it’s nearly impossible to resist them.
We ended our perfect day with Kay serenading the bay, filling the air with beautiful music that created a magical atmosphere.
The Reality of Boat Life
Living on a boat is full of surprises, especially on misty days. My captain has an eagle eye, spotting everything, even when the woodwork starts to dry out. On a boat, there’s always something needing attention. The harsh combination of saltwater and sun takes a toll on all materials. So, the captain often spends time caring for the wood, ensuring it stays in good condition. This sometimes means parts of the boat are off-limits for a day as the woodwork gets the care it needs.
Prioritizing Our Kids’ Safety
The safety of our children is our top priority. We’ve put a lot of thought into making the boat a secure place for them. Living near water always comes with risks, but honestly, it’s never entirely safe for kids anywhere. In our previous home, we had several pools, a river, and a pond where they had a few close calls. We were always there to help, but water and kids are a tricky mix.
This is why we enrolled them in a 10-day self-rescue course with the Children of the Water Institute. This intensive training teaches infants and young children essential water survival skills. It’s tough to watch them struggle in the water, but these skills are vital. By the end of the course, they had learned to flip onto their backs, float, and make their way to the edge of a pool. I’m incredibly grateful we took this step.
Our Safety Gear
To ensure our kids’ safety on board, we use advanced life jackets equipped with hydrostatic release units. These smart devices ensure the life jacket only activates when they fall into the water, not just when it gets wet from rain or splashes. This gives a comfortable fit compared to bulky life vests.
If they fall into the water, the life jacket automatically inflates, pulling apart a small cord that activates an AIS-SART (Automatic Identification System) device. The AIS has two key functions:
- It starts with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) to our own VHF radio to trigger an alarm.
- It sends the GPS location, obtained from satellites, using VHF radio to all nearby ships and search and rescue (SAR) aircraft within a range of 5 to 10 nautical miles, which is about 20 kilometers. It sends 8 location messages per minute, constantly updating their position.
The DSC message is sent to the radio on our boat, Luna, triggering an alarm to alert us immediately. We can then activate the Man Overboard (MOB) feature on our plotter, which will guide us directly to the AIS beacon and the person in the water.
There are a couple of limitations to the AIS-SART compared to a regular SART. First, there is no indication that rescue services have picked up your signal, so you don’t know if they’re searching for you nearby. Second, the range is limited, so if you’re far offshore, you depend on nearby ships for rescue.
For our kids, these limitations are not an issue because we, or Luna, will be nearby if they fall overboard.
In addition to the AIS-SART, our life jackets also have a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon). This allows us to alert rescue services directly, without relying on nearby ships. The PLB communicates via satellite, using GPS data to contact the nearest RCC (Rescue Coordination Center), which will then initiate a rescue operation, where distance from shore doesn’t matter.
It’s crucial for us to have both the PLB and AIS-SART. For instance, if someone falls overboard during a night shift, no one on board may know. The RCC does know and starts a rescue operation immediately. This way, the boat will keep moving, but help will be on the way.
Finally, our boat itself has an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). Also mounted in a hydrostatic release unit, it can activate automatically if the boat sinks. It works similarly to the PLB and is not dependent on nearby ships. However, it also has VHF/DSC to inform nearby vessels. If we use a life raft, we take the EPIRB with us.
Wrapping Up
Life on the boat is an ongoing adventure, filled with both challenges and incredible experiences. From maintaining our floating home to exploring enchanting places like Syracuse, each day brings something new. The hard work is balanced by the joy of discovering new locations and creating lasting memories. We can’t wait to share our next adventure with you!
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