Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the USA

In this highly important episode of the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of United States podcast, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman welcome back repeat guest Rob Sweet, a physician and seasoned cruiser who recently spent several months in the Bahamas. Rob keeps his boat in Florida while living in Pittsburgh, managing the interesting dynamics of a three-hour plane ride to his vessel.While many sailing discussions focus on anchors and navigation, this conversation addresses a critical, often-overlooked aspect of life at sea: medical emergencies and being prepared when help is hours away.Rob recently took a specialized Offshore Medicine Course from Wilderness Medical Associates, which is specifically designed for sailors and mariners. Even as a physician specializing in geriatric psychiatry, Rob's motivation was to be ready for common sailing injuries, noting that medical school doesn't focus on first aid. The ocean is a large wilderness, and he needed skills beyond a hospital setting.Common Injuries at Sea: Likely incidents include falls, broken bones (rib, wrist, finger), dislocations, dehydration (especially from seasickness), heat or cold exposure (heat stroke/hypothermia), and various wounds or cuts.The Risk of Rescue: The course heavily emphasized assessing the high risk involved in trying to evacuate an injured person via helicopter or ship versus stabilizing the condition on board.Essential Crew Information (The Geriatrics Perspective): Rob stresses that Captains should have a record of all crew/passenger medications, allergies, and any conditions, especially for older guests.Seasickness Medication Warning: He advises that people test seasickness medicine (like a patch) at home first, as it can cause confusion and, for older men with large prostates, urinary retention, which can be a serious issue on a boat.Essential Medical Supplies (Rob’s Purchases): Rob is upgrading his boat with:A better-organized, modular first aid kit (The Modulator).Supplies for cleaning, irrigating, and pressure dressing wounds.A tourniquet.Epinephrine/Epipens and follow-up drugs (antihistamines, steroids) for allergic reactions/stings.Formable splints for fractures.The Power of External Help: Rob stresses the need for onshore medical backup, like a 24/7 contracted video assessment service, especially now that he has Starlink for constant communication.Mike and Bela conclude by strongly encouraging listeners to take a CPR and basic first aid course, noting that even coastal cruisers can be hours away from an ambulance.If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe!Hosts: Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman Guest: Rob SweetEmail: [email protected] Happy Sailing!Bela and MikeWhy You Need to Listen: Medical Preparation for CruisersKey Discussion Points & Takeaways for Sailors:

In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast, host Bela Musits sits down with Roy Greenwald, an experienced offshore sailor who has completed multiple ocean crossings and long-distance races. Roy shares insights from his years at sea aboard his Valiant 42, a boat known more for blue-water cruising than high-performance racing—yet one that’s carried him to impressive victories.Roy talks about competing in legendary events like the Newport to Bermuda Race and the Marion to Bermuda Race, where he and his wife even took first place. Bela and Roy explore what it takes to prepare both mentally and technically for ocean passages, how double-handed sailing challenges crews in unique ways, and why safety, seamanship, and teamwork matter most offshore.Beyond racing, Roy discusses his work organizing the Northeast Ocean Race Symposium, a one-day event that brings together sailors to learn about everything from race strategy and weather routing to offshore safety and boat preparation. It’s a can’t-miss gathering for anyone serious about long-distance cruising or competitive sailing along the U.S. East Coast.Whether you’re planning your first offshore passage or dreaming of Bermuda, this episode offers inspiration, real-world lessons, and a deep dive into the spirit of adventure that defines ocean racing.⛵ Keywords: sailing podcast, offshore racing, Roy Greenwald, Valiant 42, Newport to Bermuda Race, Marion to Bermuda Race, ocean crossings, Northeast Ocean Race Symposium, cruising, East Coast sailing.To learn more about the Northeast Ocean Racing Symposium:https://marionbermuda.com/NORS/Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike

In this episode, Bela welcomes back returning guest Rob Sweet for his third visit to the podcast. Rob lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – several hundred miles from the Atlantic Ocean – yet owns and sails his boat that’s based in Florida. In earlier episodes (153 and 158), Rob shared how he chose his boat and what it’s like managing a cruising life while living far from the water. Today, Rob and Bela talk about his recent extended adventure cruising the Abacos in the Bahamas.This trip was unique because Rob and his wife traveled during the summer months—a less common time for cruisers due to the start of hurricane season. Rob explains why the early summer “shoulder season” can actually be a great time to visit. Crowds are lighter, anchorages are quieter, and marinas and services are still available. He also shares how he researched historical weather patterns to better understand hurricane risk.Rob discusses preparing the boat for long-distance travel, the experience of sailing across the Gulf Stream, using mooring balls and marinas in the Bahamas, managing water, fuel, and provisioning, and why air conditioning changes everything when cruising in warm climates. Bela and Rob also talk about customs procedures, flying back and forth to the boat, and what it’s like to step directly from your sailboat onto a local ferry in the Abacos.Whether you’re dreaming of your first cruise to the Bahamas or planning to live aboard while living inland, Rob’s story is full of practical lessons—and encouragement that sailing adventures may be more achievable than you thinkConnect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike

In this episode of Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of the United States, Bela Musits and fellow sailor Mike Malekoff reflect on their successful voyage relocating Mike’s Hunter 44 Deck Salon from Brunswick, Georgia to Burlington, Vermont. What began as a plan in early April turned into a two-month adventure filled with challenges, discoveries, and memorable sailing experiences along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and beyond.Bela and Mike share what it was like to manage long stretches of coastal cruising, the realities of anchoring and docking after long days on the water, and how sailing often becomes less of a vacation and more of an adventure filled with problem-solving. They discuss highlights of the trip, including navigating tricky currents, enjoying beautiful anchorages, and adapting to life aboard while moving steadily north.Listeners will hear firsthand what it’s like to bring a cruising sailboat up the East Coast, through a variety of weather conditions, and ultimately into Lake Champlain. From technical sailing details to the camaraderie of life onboard, this conversation captures both the challenges and the rewards of extended cruising.Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser, an aspiring liveaboard, or simply curious about coastal sailing, this episode offers insights into route planning, boat handling, and the unique satisfaction of arriving safely at your destination after a long passage.Join Bela and Mike as they recount their journey to Burlington, celebrate the milestones along the way, and share why sailing continues to be an adventure worth taking.Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike

Join your hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman on the latest episode of the "Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of United States" podcast as they sit down with a truly remarkable guest: Erden Eruc. Erdin is an incredible individual who holds a staggering 18 Guinness World Records and is even a member of the Guinness Hall of Fame.Erden shares his extraordinary journey, including his feat as the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world by human power, pedaling a bicycle on land and rowing a boat across the oceans.The conversation delves into his mental and physical preparation for his next monumental challenge: the 2026 Golden Globe Race. This legendary competition is a solo, non-stop, unassisted sailboat race around the world, replicating the original 1968 event by requiring participants to use only 1968-era technology, such as sextants and paper chartsYou can check out more info on Erden here: https://www.erdeneruc.com/Connect With Us:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more sailing enthusiasts like you!  Send us your comments and suggestions. [email protected] Sailing!Bela and Mike