Entry Date: 09.05.2024, at 11:00:00 hrs (local)
Barbados - BVI
Mike, a Living Legend
| PRID: | 13008 |
|---|---|
| LegID: | 356 |
| LegNo: | 101 |
| Latitude: | N018°04.39' |
| Longitude: | W063°05.38' |
| Day#: | 1522 |
| Log (Leg): | 432 nm |
| Log (Total): | 81204 nm |
Importantly, Mike and Sally had been the pillars for our German blue water sailing club ”Trans Ocean” on St. Martin for decades. They were the anchor, the first point of contact, and the unfailing source of advice and support for German and international sailors alike. Their dedication to our club and the wider sailing community was simply exemplary.
Back then, Shrimpy´s was a bustling hub, a Sunday flea market spilling into the street, laughter and the scent of grilled bugers filling the air. Mike, with his endless knowledge and even bigger heart, was the captain of this merry band of sailors. We, the wide-eyed newbies, hesitantly joined the ”Cruisers Net,” a virtual lifeline on the radio waves. Mike facilitated the exchange of everything from spare parts to local gossip, and was a vital source of information and camaraderie for the transient community.
14 years flew by, our journey taking us across oceans and once around the globe. But we never forgot the crackle of Mike´s voice on the VHF radio.
Now, seasoned sailors ourselves, we returned to St. Martin. To our delight, Mike´s voice still rang out, strong and clear, on the same channel, at the same time. He was older, but his voice held the same warmth. Our hearts are brimming with gratitude, and we made our way to the new Shrimpy´s location.
The bustling bar was gone, replaced by a more utilitarian space. Yet, a familiar twinkle in Mike´s eyes greeted us. We reminisced about the old days, laughter tinged with a touch of sadness. A lump formed in my throat as Mike shared that Sally, his partner, had passed away three years ago.
We expressed our deepest condolences, but more importantly, our immense gratitude. Mike´s dedication, his unwavering service to the sailing community, and especially to our Trans Ocean club, have been a lifeline for countless sailors, providing a sense of home in the Caribbean. Mike is and remains a legend, a symbol of unwavering hospitality and the invisible threads that bind the sailing community together.
As we left Shrimpy´s, we knew a part of us would always remain anchored in St. Martin, with a man named Mike, who, with a simple radio call, had made the world a little smaller, a lot friendlier, and forever connected.
