I used to think the whole prepper movement - those seemingly preparing for the zombie apocalypse - only existed in the fringes of society. It started to seem a little more mainstream when we noticed Costco selling very large containers of "nutritional biscuits" and purified water with long expiration dates. As Costco shareholders and members, we're sure the management knows how to make a profit and stock the shelves appropriately, and if they're selling that sort of stuff, well . . .
We used to live down the street from a large Mormon church. One of our "Jack Mormon" pals told us that it had a basement. Living area with a year's supply of food and water. And ammo. Don't know if he was just kidding, but it did come as a surprise. Mormons do look after one another.
We just had a look at the Monday Reuters news feed. Sounds like the current political administration is still fumbling the ball, and the Democrats and Republicans can't agree on an emergency funding bill. What a big surprise. Locally, our 14-day quarantine period now officially began on March 21st, and the rules have just gotten a bit more "interesting". Inter-island travel is prohibited without proper authorization. We've heard most inter-island domestic flights and virtually all international flights have been curtailed or completely canceled. Not sure about the facts. We just saw text of an order from the High Commissioner that nobody is even allowed to go swimming, paddle boarding, kite boarding - wait, what? We live on a boat. Part of the routine maintenance is underwater hull inspections for integrity and to remove plant growth.
I certainly understand why the head cheese might want folks to avoid beach gatherings and swimming together but there's absolutely no risk of an individual catching Covid-19 from the sea or giving it to a fish. Guess we'll have to use a little common sense regarding that one.
Back to that prepper thing. The more I think about it, the more I realize that cruisers might be the ultimate preppers, except in rare exceptions we don't carry firearms. Good luck getting caught with a gun or ammo anywhere in Mexico - you want a cell mate / lover named Jose? Elsewhere around the world cruisers that carry firearms have to check in with local officials, often surrendering the guns and ammo while in local waters, then having to return and collect them before departing. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of having guns in the first place, and really adds to the administrative hassle factor during the arrival/departure process.
So the JollyDogs situation is kind of as follows. I keep the diesel tanks full (always treated with biocide), and I always have some full jerry cans to replenish the tanks. Same with gasoline - the dinghy is our lifeline to shore for provisioning or exploration. I've got spares on board for most mechanical failures, and raw materials to build up new rigging components. Isabel has provisioned us for several months away from civilization. We've got spear guns and poles (and lots of lures) for fishing. We make our own water. We deal with our own sewage. We make and store our own electricity. We've enough entertainment options on board for months of intellectual stimulation. We have satellite and HF radio comms. We have a flare pistol and monster flashlights, and various clubs and pokers for self-defense. We've got a soda stream machine with several spare CO2 cylinders!
JollyDogs is on a progressive inspection and maintenance schedule, so I'm always looking for chafe and wear and leaks, hatching ways to make repairs with what we've got on board.
We are generally prepared to spend several weeks at sea, moving from one country to another, or in a remote anchorage. After Raroia we were planning to go to a completely uninhabited atoll for a few weeks - still hope to once this blows over.
It's a bummer I no longer make craft beer on board, but I reckon we are, by some definition, preppers! Bring on the zombies!
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