Help us get our friends back on their feet and back on the water!

 

Imagine losing your home, your way of life, and your dreams all in one fell swoop. That's what happened to our dear friends, the Captain and Crew of SV Raindancer. They were halfway across the Pacific Ocean, living their dream of sailing the world, when a massive whale struck their boat, causing it to sink within 15 minutes. Miraculously, they were able to abandon ship to a liferaft and dinghy, but everything else they owned went down with the boat.

 

Thankfully, the sailing community rallied to their aid, and a rescue mission was underway within minutes of their distress call. After 9 long hours, they were rescued unharmed, but the loss of their boat and their home was devastating. For sailors, our boats are not just vehicles or possessions, they are our homes, our companions, and our lifelines. Losing a boat in this way is the stuff of nightmares, but Captain Rick and his Crew of SV Raindancer are just grateful to be alive. This incident serves as a reminder of the risks sailors take, but also the incredible resilience and determination that they possess.

 

Sailors are a special group of people. They are a global family, bound together by a shared love of the sea and a willingness to help one another in times of need. But they are also among the first to offer assistance to anyone, whether they are sailors or not. They are constantly exploring new places and cultures, spreading community and their acquired knowledge wherever they go.

 

The outpouring of support and solidarity from the sailing community and beyond has been incredible, but we want to do more to help our friends get back on their feet.

That's why we're starting this GoFundMe page with a goal of $25K to raise funds to help Captain Rick and the Crew of the SV Raindancer rebuild their lives and get back on the water. Every little bit helps and will contribute toward anything from tools to the cost of a new-to-them sailing home, as well as help cover lodging and flights as Rick and his crew arrive on land in French Polynesia with nothing but the clothes on their backs. But more than that, your donation will be a symbol of the love and support of the sailing community, and in particular, to people who would rush to your aid without a second thought.

 

Together, we can help Captain Rick and his Crew continue their adventure while also spreading the spirit of compassion and generosity that defines the sailing community. Thank you for your support!