Most people would call bullshit to this. Understandably so. Calling BS does not falsify what I, and another, saw.

There were four of us, traveling east to west, ferrying a 45'er to Cozumel. It was near midnight, calm seas, and not quite time for me to be on watch. Only the skipper was on deck. We were just south of the Dominican Republic, perhaps fifteen miles offshore.

The skipper called me to come up. I crawled out of my bunk and went and stood in the companionway. Handing me the binoculars, he pointed to a bright light northwest of us.

"What is that?" he asked.

I peered through the high-powered lens and did a double-take.

"What is that?" the skipper again asked.

I was reluctant to say what I saw. He'd think me crazy.

Again he asked, "What is that?"

I looked at the skipper and replied, "It's a fucking Viking ship!"

"That's what I see too!" he said.

We watched it for a few minutes whereupon I went below and fired up the radar. The scope showed the coast, two tankers, and a few fishing vessels. Each could be visually verified and none were near the Viking ship which was not showing up on the radar scope.

The Viking ship, which I'd say was about 60' in length with its distinctive look, was lit up like a Christmas tree. A large single square sail was visible and clear as day through the binoculars. The sail was vertical red and white stripes. It went from west to east, and remained north of us by little over a mile, at an estimated speed of 30 knots. Horizon to horizon.

What do you do when confronted with something like that? Why, open a case of cold Heineken and down it all.

Scoff if you will, it's a true story.

It was either Cat Island or perhaps Ship Island. Doesn't really matter. A friend was doing the voyage to Key West with me, back in the late 90s. We were anchored for the night, having watered and fueled in Gulfport, MS, leaving in the morning for Key West. The boat was at gentle anchor, on a 22Lb. Danforth.

Near midnight there was a lightening storm north, over Gulfport. Within minutes it was upon us. Winds were amazing, a good 40 knots. The rain came down, sideways. The rail was in the water, first port side then starboard. The boat was sailing hard on the hook. 

I thought we could well end up on the beach, or perhaps get lucky and just meander out to sea a mile or so.

Luckily we found ourselves still at anchor the next morning. No harm, no foul. Can't say the same for two powerboats which had been anchored near us. They were firmly on the beach. 

A few of us had sailed from Newport, RI, to Norfolk. It had been a fast, wet trip. We were so ready for hitting the bar.

Got to the marina and soon found ourselves on the upper deck having adult cocktails.

Down below and off to the right was a corrugated steel building. It was a weekend and only one car was parked outside. A man got into the car and started it up. The engine immediately went into full race. He was evidently having troubles. "Turn it off Hoss," I thought. Nope! Better to put into gear and drive into the side of the building, staving it in.

Hilarious.

I wondered what else might be afoot?

I've contacted and been contacted by a few /s. Most simply cannot fathom my added lifestyle.

I love perving various profiles. So many, badly written, with stolen photos; the "slave with no limits, willing to relocate immediately." The entertainment is boundless.