Singlehander Rescued Mid-Pacific
It’s hard not to admire Ronnie Simpson’s determination and spunk, even though it could have easily gotten him killed. The former Marine, 23, who was medically discharged after being wounded in Iraq — "I was in a Hummer, behind a .50 cal, when I got hit" he explained on his website — was disenchanted with "real life" so he quit school and sold his house and six motorcycles to fund a trip around the world on a 40-ft Rhodes Bounty. "I have begun to fulfill my commitment of not working, going to school, or providing any other ‘contributions’ to society, of any nature."
He and his 25-year-old brother, R.J., hatched a plan to make documentaries on the places they sailed, hoping the films would fund their adventure. "My goal is to bring valuable experiences to the people following my life and earn enough money on those experiences to continue to follow my passion," he wrote. Since R.J. was already in Hawaii, Ronnie decided to sail from San Diego to Hilo singlehanded. He’d never sailed before he bought the boat this February.
Having spent the summer "reading books" on sailing, working on La Cenicienta, living the wild and rowdy life of a young guy (lots of references to hangovers and hot chicks on his blog) and getting advice from old salts on the docks in Ocean Beach, Ronnie cast off his docklines on October 1. Yesterday, eight days into his planned circumnavigation, he set off his EPIRB and was rescued by a China-bound freighter in 35- to 40-knot winds and 20- to 30-ft seas.
In reading the log entries on his website, it’s easy to see Ronnie had idealized the trip by his constant mentions of the "light and gentle tradewinds." To his credit, he took the advice of experienced sailors, almost to the letter, but he admitted he was unprepared for the reality of a Pacific crossing. Below are a few excerpts from his blog:
October 2: "These next few days until I reach the trade winds could be very, very exhausting. I’m already becoming very tired."
October 3: "Progress is still slow and the miles are fairly hard fought, but I should be on track to make it to the trades in a few more days; something which I am very excited about."
October 4: "I can’t wait to hit the trades. It’s gonna be so sweet."
October 5: "My bilge pump stopped working . . . somehow my main water tank has become contaminated with salt water but I still have drinking water . . . and the v-berth is soaked in gasoline."
October 7: "Things are deteriorating very very quickly aboard La Cenicienta. I no longer have self steering. These are supposed to be the gentle N.E. trades. They’re not."
October 8: "I had no clue what I was getting myself into, setting off alone from California to Hawaii. I thought it was going to be an easy, pleasant run in a steady 15 knots of breeze."
October 9: "The boat is getting SLAMMED by waves. I am quickly finding God, that’s for sure."
Later in the day: "The f*&^* rudder post sheared off. There is nothing that I can do. I almost rolled over. Get me rescue asap."
La Cenicienta was dismasted in the rescue but there’s no word on if she’s still afloat. Ronnie is now safely aboard Vecchio Bridge, bound for China, from where he’ll immediately fly to Hawaii. Armchair sailors might judge the young man harshly for daring to even attempt such an endeavor with so little experience, but it’s hard to dissuade young men from doing daring things until it’s too late. We’re glad Ronnie is safe and have no doubt he’ll be on to his next adventure very soon.