Showing posts with label Current Design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Current Design. Show all posts

Friday, January 26, 2018

MISSION 22: AN INTERVIEW WITH JOE MULLIN


The most fundamental part of paddling is always coming to the aid of a fellow boater. No matter what, when someone is sinking into the water, we will automatically step up to throw a rope, toss a bag and lend a hand.
That's why it's no surprise, that paddling community has embraced some nonprofits organizations that have healed and transformed lives through kayaking. Both Team River Runner and Heroes on the Water have benefited from volunteer paddlers across the nation helping to get our wounded veterans and their families out on the water. One veteran felt his calling to do even more for his fellow veterans.
According to a Department of Veterans Affairs study, each day over 20 veterans take their own lives. For Joseph Mullin that was staggering statistic he just couldn't accept. A disabled veteran with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Mullin felt he needed to generate national consciouses for this serious issue. To help create an awareness of Mission 22, a national organization aimed at suicide prevention among veterans and active military members, Mullin embarked on a 2,000-mile journey down the entire East Coast.
Called the, One Man, One Mission, To Save Thousands Expedition, Mullin started his trek last spring at Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Maine, heading south towards Key West Florida. Last week, Outside Adventure to the Max, caught up to Mullin while he was wintering after completing one-third of his trip. We asked him about his journey on the water and the veteran's cause he's paddling for.


OAM: As a disabled veteran yourself why did you get involved in Mission 22?
JM: I'm a disabled veteran with PTSD from 20 years of underwater recovery and a few life events. I was shot at when I was 17, so I know the sounds and feelings of having rounds whizzing by your head.
There is a bond between veterans cannot be explained nor can't be broken. My brother and sisters are hurting and need help. I think what I'm doing for Mission 22 is the best way for me to help them.

OAM: Your expedition is called: ONE MAN ONE MISSION TO SAVE THOUSANDS. How did you come up with the idea for this voyage and how long have you been planning it?
JM: I have been around the ocean all my life surfing, scuba diving, canoeing and kayaking. Lately, it has been mostly kayaking, so that's the perfect choice of vehicle for a trip.
What do they say go big or go home. If you do the math 22 (suicides) per day and the fact that I'm solo, The One Man One Mission to Save Thousands makes a great deal of sense. I thought 2,000 miles in a kayak would draw attention to the cause.
Living in Massachusetts with a direct access to Buzzards Bay made for the optimal training ground. The bay is like a bowl so when the water starts to move the chop comes at you from all sides. I trained in my 14-foot kayak in seas from flat to 7-feet. I trained for 2 years studying the movement of the water winds and currents. My route was 20 NM (nautical miles) down the coast across a harbor and many coves then stop for lunch and return in various conditions.
I had the Marion Harbormaster searching for me one day as someone called the coast guard saying I was in distress. They found me returning from Mattapoisett Harbor. I was fine the whole time. I had to promise to call him on CH 16 to let him know I was crossing the harbor.
On the day I was playing in 7-foot seas and when I had enough fun and was returning to calmer seas (3-4 ft) I could hear a diesel engine coming up behind me. It was the coast guard. We had an interesting radio conversation before I went back to my launch site.

OAM: How did you prep for this expedition? 
JM: I took a kayak camping trip with my buddy in Casco Bay in Maine 2015 and we ended up in 14-ft swells in 30-knot winds which I do not recommend anyone tries. We hit swells and wind at 22.5 degrees and maintained 3 mph with a constant rhythm.
I spent 2 years researching equipment and gathering data and charts plotting courses. Added some appropriate apps to my phone, USCG, Life360, Navionics, NOAA weather to name the main ones

OAM: You started your expedition to kayak the entire eastern seaboard last spring, Where are you at, how has been going and when do you expect to be underway again?
JM: I started at Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Maine on April 30, 2017, and ended at Watch Hill, Rhode Island. My original kayak (Necky Looksha Elite) developed problems when I reached Rhode Island and was losing buoyancy, stability and performance. I went from paddling 30-40 NM (nautical miles) a day to 10 NM.
I had to research, a new kayak and find a sponsor or a company willing to help me. After much research, I found Current Designs. I spoke directly with the owner of the company and explained to him my situation and my cause. I explained to him the conditions that I had paddled through so far and we talked about my course ahead. We came up with the best solution that I could live with a gently used Solstice GT.
You have to remember I am living out of the kayak, so transportation has been provided by family and friends. My new kayak was delivered, but it was too late in the year to continue. There were too many storms. So I am living with my girlfriend waiting for warmer weather and will start training once again in Buzzards Bay before departing hopefully in April. I will start where I left off in Watch Hill Rhode Island.

OAM: Tell us about your setbacks. I read your day #1 account and for many of us, we would have quit right there. What keeps you going?
JM: Day one kayak overloaded (ego bigger than common sense) I had paddled for over 2-hours. Was just coming to Baileys Mistake and was turning in when I capsized.
Because of the overloading I could no way self-rescue. I called the coast guard then spent one hour in 38-degree water. I was dressed for 45-minute immersion in 35-degree water. Ended up in the hospital with mild hypothermia.
I had unloaded all unnecessary gear, I basically went lean and mean and survival mode. Then I continued my trip.
If you are going to kayak the coast of Maine please join the Maine Island Trail Association. The information in their book is great. Also if you decide to kayak The Bold Coast (northern section) please hire a Maine guide for your safety. Trust me on that one I used every bit of knowledge technique and stamina to make it down that coast.
I did see a baby orca breach the surface three feet off my bow. That was fantastic.
I was stuck in Jonesport Maine for 5 days due to weather. Jonesport is a small lobstering town and I camped on a bluff the first two days in 50-knot winds and torrential downpours.
On the third day I packed my gear and headed into town (local hang out is Mooseabeck Video) I met a veteran there who gave me access to one of his houses for 3 days. The lobster men of Jonesport are excellent people who provided much information on currents and plotted my route. They also provided me with a radar reflector, don't let anyone tell you they don"t work, on a 44-inch light pole (Railblaza) it worked fine.

I capsized off of Rye, New Hampshire in shallow water. I was tired and was trying to take a short cut. I walked the kayak to shore and a surfer came out to help me. My son came to pick me up and while transporting me down the coast a bit the kayak folded in half so we went to his house where I could fix it. Those years of building surfboards come in handy. 
He took me Salisbury, Massachusetts to a state campground at the mouth of the Merrimack River. I waited 3 days for the mouth to calm down and it wasn't happening. There was 15 to 20-foot of surf. 
So talking with the local fishermen I went along the backside of Plum Island to enter further down the coast.
You need to be able to adjust plan on the fly as you may not always be able to camp or find lodging as you go.
Since I was in Massachusetts, I could call on friends to help. I won't have that luxury until I hit my hometown in Virginia. I can say there is nothing stranger looking than to see a kayak being transported in the back of your girlfriend's dump truck.
Watch Hill was my third capsize. I was a mile offshore going through a rip. I made it through the worst part and was going through the lesser part when I went to change course 4 degrees to head inland when it capsized so fast I could only wet exit and get it up right and install paddle float. 
Since the boat was traveling with the water above the transition strip I could not get any water out. I called a "mayday" and was contacted by coast guard but rescued by some local boaters. 
When I got to shore I noticed the top pin of my rudder system was missing which probably cause the abrupt flip. Luckily I do not panic nor quit.

OAM: OK, Gives us some highlights of the trip so. What has been the best part of the expedition so far?
JM: Seeing an orca breach the surface three feet off your bow is something you will never forget.
I will be forever grateful to the residents of Jonesport, Maine, and the 91-year-old veteran in Portland who gave me the grand tour of Portland and Cape Elizabeth. To all the other great people I have met along the way so far. The people who understand my cause and provide free camping and meals. 
To the media outlets that have covered my mission and journey. Catching the sunrise and sunsets out on the water. The tranquility of being out there man and nature in harmony.
Having PTSD, I'm at peace when I am on the water it's therapeutic to me.

OAM: Have you had any encounters with many veterans groups or veterans? 
JM: I have met with a number of veterans and we have shared our stories and experiences. We also have shared how many comrades we have lost to suicide. It saddens me that I didn't get the word out soon enough.
I have talked to veterans who belong to veterans groups who are willing to help spread the word about Mission 22. We have reduced the number from 22 to 20 (suicides per year) but our goal is zero. We still have a long way to go and much work to be done.

OAM: Have you been mostly going solo or have other paddlers come out to join you? What was that like?
JM: I get two reactions when I tell people. It's either great or they think I'm insane. They haven't convinced me yet on the insane part. 
It does take years of planning to get the right equipment. Having the right safety gear is paramount. You will be using all your skill sets as conditions are constantly changing. You will have to use every bit of your intelligence on kayaking and boating and every ounce of energy at times. 
When you think you are out of energy, you have to dig down and find more. Especially if you're going to kayak the Bold Coast north to south. There is no place to hide nor anyplace to duck in and rest.
I have sent out press releases to the (paddle) shops along the coast asking them to put up a notice if anyone wishes to come join me for any amount of time or length of the trip.
So far I have had only one Maine Island Trail member come out to the island I was on off of near Portland and we only got a short paddle as conditions changed and I went back to the island to camp.
I would enjoy some company and talk about the waters I'm in or heading into and also about the type of kayaking they do.

OAM: When do you expect to paddle into Key West? 
JM: I expect to leave Rhode Island sometime in April and I expect to make Key West, Florida by Christmas. However, I have extended my trip to include the gulf coast to Houston, TX.

OAM: How can people help? 
JM: First and foremost go to my website acske2017.org. At the top of the page click on the text with Mission 22 and donate.
Second I am paying for everything about this trip out of pocket. I'm on Social Security retirement so funds are very limited, you can help me at gofundme.com rkwvuqb8.
Kayakers can follow me on my site. When on the water, I post a blog every day. When I'm in your area and you want to join me send me a comment on the blog.
If you are willing to put me up for a night or to and feed me I would appreciate it or at least transport me to or from a near by campground.
Failure is not an option the cost is too great a price to be paid. The mission is far greater than the journey. Thank you in advance on behalf of my brother and sister veterans.