Bert terHart has already been social distancing in the extreme for nearly half a year.
Since late October, a 62-year-old Canadian named Bert terHart has been sailing solo around the globe, on a mission to become the first North American to complete a nonstop circumnavigation, via the five Great Capes, without the aid of electronic navigational devices. He’s faced extreme weather, dwindling supplies and unexpected repairs that have extended his trip from six to nine months — and yet, he’s been dubbed “the safest person on the planet.
As the Gabriola Island, B.C., native’s journey — which he’s documenting on Instagram as well as on the 5 Capes blog that tracks his progress, making climate change observations along the way — approaches its seventh month, terHart also opened up about his history-making challenge, why self-isolation can be an “opportunity,” and what it’s like to be drifting along, and alone, in a sailboat while the coronavirus pandemic rages on.
“I believe it is a mistake to underestimate the contribution you can make to science in helping solve some of the greatest problems our species has ever faced. That is why on board on this voyage I have a number of experiments and observations that I’m making that will help scientists with their own endeavors.
“I am traveling with just the bare essentials. Very little fun food came on board, not because I don’t like it, but I am an inveterate snacker and I knew I would mow through it in no time flat. I did have small chocolate bars and granola bars for snacks. And of course, as they are my favorites, I went through them very quickly.
Learning about the coronavirus“I heard about coronavirus shortly after Italy began reporting increasing numbers of infected people. At that time, I realized that if it came to Canada, or anywhere else for that matter, that we would have serious problems. The exponential growth of infected in Italy despite their efforts to contain the infection for me was the trigger.
Coping with self-isolation“The key to remaining sane while isolated for so very long revolves around discipline and routine. They go hand in hand. You need the discipline to maintain your routines. Our normal everyday lives are very structured. We live very routine lives whether we know it or not. Some sense of those same structures and routines must accompany you in self-isolation. If they did not you would not remain sane for very long.
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