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<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Last spring, Oliver Widger left his corporate position of 11 years, sold his 401(k), and purchased a sailboat. His mission: to embark on a journey from Oregon and sail around the globe, beginning with a 2,400-mile trek to Hawaii.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Mr. Widger’s expedition stands out from typical ocean adventures in two significant respects. Firstly, he had no sailing experience prior to investing $50,000 in a used Com-Pac 33, which he named Phoenix after his rescue cat. Secondly, his only companion on this journey is that very cat, a female calico.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">In 2025, Mr. Widger is far from solitary on the open waters. With the aid of a Starlink satellite system, he is sharing his journey live on social media. Since his departure on April 30, his profiles have surged, amassing nearly one million followers on Instagram and 700,000 on TikTok.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">At 29, Mr. Widger sports long brown hair, a scruffy beard, and an authentic “hey, dude” vibe. He begins each day’s video entry with a phrase like, “Hello, this is Day 9 of sailing across the Pacific Ocean, alone with my cat, from Oregon to Hawaii.”</p>
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<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">His motivation for this adventure came after being diagnosed with Klippel-Feil syndrome, a rare bone disorder characterized by fused vertebrae in the neck, which can lead to muscle weakness and paralysis.</p>
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<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The followers he’s gained, who have been creating their own videos about his journey, view his choice as deeply inspiring. They’ve witnessed Mr. Widger’s rudder break and have been with him during moments of relaxation on the boat deck. Like all real-time adventures, there’s an element of suspense in watching whether he and Phoenix, currently halfway to Hawaii, will succeed or be engulfed by a sudden wave.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">On Monday — Day 13 — The New York Times spoke with Mr. Widger to check on how he and Phoenix are faring, as well as his reflections on sudden fame.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">This interview has been edited for clarity.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">Where are you right now? Can you describe your surroundings?</strong></p>
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<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">I’m currently at my chart table, where I handle navigation. If you check my Instagram highlights, there’s a tracker showing my coordinates. Right now, I’m closer to astronauts in the space station than to anyone on land.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">Being alone in such a vast sea yet connected to millions online must feel surreal. Can you elaborate on this modern dichotomy?</strong></p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Crossing the ocean is absolutely wild. To add to that, I went viral on the same day I started — it’s just utterly bizarre that these two extraordinary experiences are happening simultaneously.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">It feels almost wrong, like I’m breaking some unspoken rule. All my heroes navigated these waters in solitude and often lost their sanity. It’s truly you against nature out here.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">Given your lack of sailing experience, how did you assess your readiness for this journey?</strong></p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The primary challenge people face is simply taking the plunge. Many wait for the perfect time: the boat must be flawless, their skills perfect. But they never set sail.</p>
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<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">I am acutely aware of my inexperience. However, I’ve dedicated the last year to working on the boat and mastering sailing for up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week. I now know this boat like the back of my hand. I’ve become skilled in diesel mechanics, plumbing, electrical work, navigation, and sailing.</p>
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<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">What insights have you gained about yourself throughout this journey?</strong></p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">I’ve learned that I can tackle any situation that arises. It’s not a matter of if something will break but rather when it will.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">What do you think makes your story resonate with so many people?</strong></p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">In today’s world, people are working endless hours while facing rising costs. Even with high salaries, many are just scraping by. My adventure represents a break from that grind — it’s a source of inspiration.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">How is Phoenix adjusting to life at sea?</strong></p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">The initial days were tough for her, but it’s been fascinating to see her adapt. She seems to handle life on the boat better than I do. She’s my best buddy; I talk to her as if she were human. We have real conversations.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">What has been your most frightening experience thus far?</strong></p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">I once locked myself inside the engine compartment — every sailor's nightmare. It happened right after the rudder incident. I had left the hatch open when a massive wave struck, slamming it shut. The moment it happened, I thought, “Oh no, this can’t be happening.” Thankfully, I managed to break the hinges with a wrench I had with me.</p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0"><strong class="css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10">And what has brought you the most joy?</strong></p>
<p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Oh, so many moments! The sunsets are unreal. Watching dolphins swim and just relaxing outside on calm days has been incredible. The ocean, usually so rough, can turn utterly serene, resembling smooth glass.</p>
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