From Ellie regarding the annonymous opinions..

SA's own Ellie wrote this in response to the anonymous letter to the editor at 1000days. Unfortunately they didn't find it fit to print, we don't have those same standards here.

Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for posting yet another Anonymous opinion. We can all use more of those. It is surprising to say the least, that you would be willing to post something from an anonymous person who so obviously thinks your voyagers and their quest are of so little importance. While I agree, it is certainly a contradictory opinion to Ried’s own and that of many of your readers. Did anonymous really say, “I seriously doubt there was a single person who looked on this as something serious”? Not one single person, hmm, no family, friends, contributors, blog readers. I guess they can all rest and read easier now knowing that Anonymous has proclaimed there is no longer a need to take Reid and Soanya seriously. That’s a relief, because I was seriously concerned for two human beings out on the wide ocean in a leaking vessel.

Who, but Reid and his followers, has ever touted him a seaman with a mind-boggling sailing resume? He set his own rules, one of the most important and “written in stone” ones being without sight of land and no outside assistance (meaning “people” though he maintains constant contact). Anonymous is correct in one thing, Reid has left himself the opportunity for him and for you to be able to view his voyage as a success regardless of fulfilling any of the goals he set. It is his and many others’ opinion that it has already been a success, so why the insistence of venturing into the Southern Ocean? It is Reid himself who exaggerates; even his mama says so. He has exaggerated the importance of his mission, his ability and the integrity of his boat.

Reid’s lack of seamanship is painfully obvious to anyone with an ounce of sense or experience. His posts talk for him. If it seems he can’t sail, it is because it is proven so in what he writes. There is not a day that goes by that Reid has not attempted a grasp at straws to tie his voyage into something bigger than himself, a service to mankind and something for the world to recognise. He begs that we cheer him, acknowledge his vision, achievements, value and skill, advise him on problems that should have been taken care of before departure, even pray for him. Yet when asked simple questions about the condition of his boat, it’s rigging and sails or his safety equipment he acts as if this information is on a need to know basis and condescendingly implies that his readers don’t need to know. His journey may indeed be spiritual and personal; he would do well to leave it at that. He made this about sailing, he made it about NASA, he made it about seamanship, he made it about breaking or setting a record, we did not. People who are truly unique and different do not have this burning desire to be more than what they are. They do not suffer delusions of grandeur.

Reid is not different, Anonymous. As a matter of fact, he is so common as to be cliché, so uncolorful a character as to be mundane. The investigation into Reid’s past stemmed from inconsistencies in his own claims. While Anonymous may find this all very boring others might find these facts to be even more interesting than circles in the Atlantic at 2 knots of boat speed. Anonymous sounds like someone’s mommy, “don’t worry, dear, they are all just jealous”. I assure you, none of the people researching Reid’s past and lies (or exaggerations if you prefer) is remotely jealous. The purpose of finding the facts through Reid’s lies is a character study. So far, I have seen nothing to envy. No one has capitalized off of Reid except Reid and his following, there is no vendetta, and there is no hate. There is plenty disappointment and more than a little disgust. I will not trust him because his actions do not inspire trust. His character does not warrant blind faith.

Anonymous does not think they will make their goal, yet is ready to cheer and laugh at the effort. So what is it Anonymous, a joke or an inspiration? Are you simply so confused or ignorant that you have joined Reid in grasping at straws to justify proceeding into the Southern Ocean? The boat is cracked and leaking, threatening the structural integrity of the hull and allowing in saltwater that will corrode hose clamps, electrical wiring and connections and basically any and everything metal including the very framework of the hull. He left safe harbor with diesel tanks that are leaking and degrading the hoses in the bilge below the water line. When the hoses start splitting there will be hell to pay, I wonder if he has spare hose and plugs. He has filled a boat that has a carved wood interior and leaks with charcoal creating fire hazards, he has paint and possibly varnish, teak oil and some mineral spirits or acetone and the like aboard. Let us all hope he at the very least has also filled his boat with fire extinguishing systems. His sails are degrading and in dire need of constant repair, they will likely blow out in tatters in significant weather. He has a damaged engine with no spare parts. He has a damaged bowsprit (either from failure or collision, neither of which bode well for him in the seamanship department) which limits the ability to make headway in rough seas. The boat has a foul bottom (not cleaned or inspected for 5 years) which again limits the ability to make headway and also threatens the integrity of the hull. AND nearly all of these problems existed BEFORE he left harbor. You tell me, is this folly or farce? Then we can go back to laughing along with Anonymous.

Joining in a fool’s mission does not make a woman brave. Blind trust in someone else’s ability does not make a woman adventurous.

According to Anonymous we should all have a shot of tequila and laugh at the tired old cliché of an egomaniac floating the oceans accompanied by a woman half his age. I guess that goes for your young readers as well since you, Editor, felt the recommendation deserved the front page. I’d rather be able to read this blog and learn something I didn’t know, share knowledge when I can and laugh at the absurdity where I find it, yet i, who sign in with my real name and email address, have been categorically banned from making further comment to your blog. What is really sad is this could truly have been something worthwhile, spirituality and sprouts aside. It was presented as such, but falls sadly short at every turn. So now the only thing worthwhile is to try to attempt to talk them in so that no one has to risk their lives to save them and to enjoy the parody of the other blog. If the parody cuts too close for you all you might ask why. Why do you applaud Anonymous’ laughing while condemning others for doing the same? Are you all angry because your adventurer has been proven false? Why is Reid and his editors withholding information, refusing to answer even the most basic of questions and feeding you misinformation, and do you even know the difference? Would you rather go the “ignorance is bliss” method of sailing or learn the “prepare for the worst and hope for the best” method? It should be easy enough for the more intelligent reader to distinguish the difference, the former is for those interested in gods and prayers for spare parts, the latter for is everyone else.


elle