Oliver Widger and his cat Phoenix have sailed across the Pacific Ocean from Oregon to Hawaii. Widger had no prior sailing experience but taught himself all the skills necessary to navigate across the ocean with just his beloved pet for company.
Widger’s journey started when he was diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome, a rare spinal condition that comes with the risk of paralysis. He started re-evaluating his life, left his corporate job, cashed out his 401k, sold most of his possessions, and bought a 1990s sailboat. His plan: to sail around the world.
He knew it would be a solo endeavor except for Phoenix. Widger rescued him from a dumpster seven years ago when he was a kitten. Since then, the cat has been his steadfast companion. For Widger’s sail around the world, Phoenix took on the role of first mate.
Learn to sail through YouTube
Purchasing the boat was relatively easy. Then came months of refitting and making sure it was seaworthy. Then Widger had to teach himself to sail, mostly through YouTube videos.
The pair left Warrenton Marina in Oregon on April 30 and landed in Hawaii 24 days later. The unlikely duo amassed over 2.7 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. When they arrived in Honolulu, a crowd of cheering fans, along with canoes and boats, turned out to greet them.
Speaking on why he and Phoenix have become so popular, Widger said, “I think a lot of people are, you know, you’re grinding at your job all day long and it doesn’t really matter how much money you make at this point, everybody’s just trying to do enough to get by and that just wears you out. It’s just the world’s in a weird place, and I think people have seen that it’s possible to break out.”
Travels with a cat
The most difficult problem throughout the sail occurred when the rudder failed. For three hours, the boat tilted precariously while he made repairs. Traveling with a cat has also created some unexpected tasks, such as ensuring that Phoenix can enter Hawaii without going into animal quarantine. Widger arranged for a mobile vet to sign off on the cat’s health as they came into the marina.
The second was figuring out what to do with cat feces, which is dangerous to the Hawaiian monk seal. To make sure none got into the water, Widger collected all of it and kept it onboard so that he could dispose of it on dry land.
Now in Hawaii, Widger plans to rest and repair his boat. He hopes to continue his voyage to French Polynesia, embracing the freedom and fulfilment he found at sea.
