Donna Lange set for second solo circumnavigation

by Will Barbeau on 9 Jul 2015 “Inspired Insanity,” the 28 foot Southern Cross sailboat that took Donna Lange on a three-stop solo trip around the world in 2005-07, is going around again in 2015-16, this time non-stop. Rhode Islanders will see her leave from the Herreshoff dock, Sunday, July 26. Her 300-day trip follows trade winds toward Europe, then sails south below Africa and goes around Antarctica via the roaring the forties. She returns in May 2016, as the first American woman to sail solo non-stop around the world.

Donna is relying on traditional sailing tools, navigating with compass and sextant. The voyage also provides an opportunity to study ocean water radiation levels worldwide, as well as for testing innovative emergency safety equipment for sailboats. Sponsors have provided equipment for these studies.

Communications and weather information are vital on long trips. Her boat is equipped with an SSB radio as well as an Aurora Iridium satellite terminal from sponsor RedPort Global of Maryville, TN. “This assures I will have dependable email and weather forecasts from anywhere in the world,” Donna says, adding: “The Aurora satellite terminal will reliably post my location to my website without my seeing it – helping me share the trip with the world in real time.”

“Can sailboats be made safer?” Donna asks, noting that “Cars have emergency inflatable equipment – why not boats?” Subsalve USA Corporation of North Kingstown, RI, a specialist in salvage floatation systems, has designed and installed emergency flotation equipment. “We created systems for other sailboats in the same size range and are pleased to provide this added safety for Donna,” President Richard Fryburg said.

“GPS is not being used,” Donna says. “I am sailing as sailors did when finding their way was the true adventure and a necessary skill for going offshore. I intend to highlight the need for genuine seamanship skills in this day of high tech lassitude. The Ocean, as we all know, is not humbled by electronic equipment. Though the benefits of having the new digital equipment are obvious, they should not be a substitute for genuine seamanship skills.”

Noted Bristol sailor Halsey Herreshoff gave Donna an apprenticeship in navigating without GPS. She is depending on compass and sextant. “I will be self-reliant and immersed in sailing technology, as was required before the 12-volt digital revolution.” Donna Lange lectured at the Herreshoff museum July 16th, to share her vision of the upcoming trip.

Weems and Plath, a leading manufacturer of nautical and weather instruments based in Annapolis Maryland, has provided Lange with the principal navigation tools and weather instruments required for the voyage. Company President Peter Trogdon noted that “There are some good lessons to be learned from her purposeful voyage.”

Andy Tyska of the Bristol Marine boatyard is hosting Donna’s boat Inspired Insanity for its pre-voyage maintenance and fresh bottom paint. Another key local Bristol sponsor is Jamestown Distributors, a source of boating repair and maintenance equipment. Company president Mike Mills points out that: “Any boat at sea 300 days requires tools and maintenance materials. We studied her needs and provided a full kit of our ‘Total Boat’
brand paints, sealants, epoxies, soaps and polishes.”

Island Planet Sails (IPS) of Reno, NV provided a mainsail for Inspired Insanity. Dave Benjamin, IPS founder, is a long-time sailor and, with Donna, a Board member of Oceans Watch North America. He says that “Donna and I share a passion for sailing and a vision for marine conservation, sustainable marine practices, and humanitarian work in remote island communities.”

Cay electronics of Portsmouth, RI is ensuring operation of electronic gear on board and providing other instruments that improve her sailing efficiency. Harken of Portsmouth, RI provided new equipment for improved handling of deck tackle, lines and sails during challenging sea conditions.

Bacon Sails of Annapolis MD worked with Donna to complete her sail plan with a new genoa, working jib, and other essential equipment.

Dismasting is every sailor’s nightmare. Lange believes easily-carried emergency equipment can help sailors recover from this disaster. She notes that “Kites have been used in sailing races for 30 years. If dismasted I will try using a large kite as an alternative emergency sail. Working with Peter Lynn of New Zealand, I have an efficient Pilot kite on the board,” she said.

“A 28-foot boat cannot carry 300 days of bulky supermarket food,” she explains. “Yet, the heavy physical and mental demands of solo sailing require high-energy nourishment.” Bell Plantation, Inc., of Tifton, Georgia, is a sponsor of the trip, providing an extensive supply of its ‘PB2’ brand of powdered peanut butter which is simply mixed with water to be eaten. “It’s terrific,” she says. On her previous trip around the world, New Zealanders introduced her to dry bulk foods which take little space, but pack a lot of energy.

Regarding potential medical emergencies during her voyage, Donna Lange, also a registered nurse, will have access to a team of staff members at The Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I. for assistance via satellite communications. Dr. Andrew Nathanson, the author of publications regarding emergency medicine, has worked with the hospital staff to prepare an emergency medical kit for her use during her time alone at sea.

“Like many mariners,” Donna Lange says, “I’ve learned that the cluster of marine services around Bristol, Rhode Island, make this a very efficient place to prepare for long trips. “This is the second time my boat Inspired Insanity has been outfitted in Bristol for a global trip.”

Speaking on behalf of Bristol, RI, town administrator Tony Teixeira said that “We were pleased to welcome Donna on the completion of her first circumnavigation, and we’re 100% behind this new venture. We appreciate her love for Bristol and her support for marine tourism here. Her trip will advance both sailing technology and sailing safety.”

Between sailing adventures, 53-year-old Donna Lange is an international boat delivery skipper and a marine rescue captain. Her life includes humanitarian and conservation activities which benefit from her solo sailing. As Executive Director of OceansWatch, North America she recruits sailors, marine biologists, and yachts for Reef Guardian programs, coral reef restorations, and sustainable livelihoods for isolated island communities. She also instructs sailing seminars to build confidence of crews going offshore, and has self-
published books teaching young people awareness and respect for oceans. As an instrumentalist, singer and songwriter she has produced several musical CDs and has become a popular entertainer in Rhode Island, New Zealand, Ireland and the Virgin Islands.

“Solo sailing is a deeply personal experience which most people will never experience,” Lange explains. “As a writer, I have been asked several times to share my personal journey. I hope to be able to complete that during this voyage.”

“A solo trip like this,” Donna Lange concludes, “is meaningful only if it pioneers safer sailing, empowers youth and women’s sailing, inspires better care of oceans, and brings renewed awareness of the need for trueseamanship skills by sailors going offshore.”