Did I Do That? by Stuart Gogh, our man in the UK
I do consider myself somewhat fortunate in that I However, as hopefully most of us know, in the have dual nationality. I am a British citizen by birth US, Canada, South America and some countries in and an American citizen by choice. I understand of SE Asia, it is the opposite way round. “Red Right course, that this is in no way unique and that I am not Returning’ is the name of the game. about to gain any awards for special achievements, This was something that I became very much there are literally many thousands of people who have aware of when I first arrived in the US many years such and similar status. ago. Within a very short space of time and without But I have to say, it is a little bit special and I feel any particularly damaging claims on my BoatUS rather privileged in that I have been given this kudos. insurance, I actually found it very easy to adapt to. One of the things it does provide me with, aside from In my odd little mind, for some reason ‘the wrong the opportunity to travel to most places in the world way round’ seemed to make sense… not sure of the without applying for as many tiresome visas as I structure of such thoughts in any normal person, would normally have to do, is the chance to look at something to do with mirrors possibly? the different aspects of life in All went well, as the story both countries from each side of goes… until I returned to the UK The only thing I can liken it the coin, as the saying goes. some five years ago, following 12 Britain and America are years of sailing in US waters. For to is perhaps driving on the joined together by a similar some mysterious and unfathomable wrong side of the road. language… ‘kind of’… if you rationale, I found I could not return catch my drift. But we certainly to the system I had been originally see things from a slightly different perspective taught, understood well, knew and grew up with. sometimes, which I believe is healthy and good, but can I am still, to this day, several seconds behind occasionally be confusing to a simple soul such as I. everyone else on board when searching for the Take for example the International Buoyage correct buoys in a seaway channel. My mind System. Ever since the Egyptians lit the first beacons automatically and without reason thinks ‘Red to warn mariners of rocks, navigation marks have Right Returning’ immediately followed by… are been keeping mariners safe over the centuries. It is you sure… quickly moving on to… no that’s not fair to say that an understanding of buoyage is pretty correct… go the other way. By which time, my important when you’re heading out to sea, or in my crew has now dealt with the issue and is already case, returning home. considering the next obstacle. Here in the UK, and for that matter in the majority This dilemma has reached a stage where my of the rest of the world, Red is to Port and Green is to quickly diminishing number of regular sailing friends Starboard when heading towards land from the ocean now accept and expect this slight time delay in in a marked buoyed channel. Always has been and computing the issue in my brain. I am either forgiven probably always will be. as perhaps showing early signs of dementia or having
186 Summer 2013 pg 186-188 Did I do that.indd 2
Cruising 4/25/13 4:05 PM
