Good Old Boat Issue 142: Jan/Feb 2022

Vivian and Nathan have logged over 120,000 nautical miles between the two of them. Photo courtesy Ocean Passages.

and guiding them at every step. “He was there with us from the start of Ocean Passages,” Vivian says, “even coming out to Cambridge before we had put an offer on Ultima to check her out while she was still on the hard. His support means the world to me, because the way he and Tadji live their life is very much in

into place. You have to be patient with yourself, knowing that even if it doesn’t feel like you’re going in the right direction, sticking to your morals and listening to your

tune with how I live mine. To succeed on whatever track you choose, you have to surround yourself with those on the same mission as you.” Aboard Ultima, Vivian is as confident and competent going up the mast as she is handling lines, getting her hands dirty in the engine, or creating a feast for the crew. “Taking on a variety of professional roles on boats helps prepare you for being a multitasker, especially when there are captains and mentors willing to teach you,” she says. John says one of the things that impresses him about Nathan and Vivian as sailing professionals is that they “complement each other perfectly and don’t fall into predictable gender roles. Vivian is an incredible chef, but Nathan often cooks underway. Vivian is usually at the helm when they come into a crowded marina. They have the right mix of communication and sailing skills to make a sailing life work.” But overcoming stereo- typed gender roles in the marine industry has not always been easy. Although Vivian has had many positive experiences with co-workers, clients, and employers, speaking out about the sexism she’s encountered is important in trying to effect change.

“If you’re a woman working in a male-dominated industry, unfortunately you are likely to encounter unprofessional behavior at some point. I hope that one day, it will be utterly shocking to hear that statement, but right now it is so common that it’s accepted,” she says. “I’ve had an owner of a yacht tell me that he wanted to pay for me to have implants so that I could look a certain way, and that I should start walking around in high heels. There have been nights when I’ve been too scared to sleep because I’m stuck on a boat with someone who objectifies me and has crossed profes- sional boundaries. I have had to make completely unfair choices between keeping a job and my physical and mental health.” Vivian wants other women to know that they are not alone, that they deserve respect, and that they can have a rewarding career at sea. “Even though the marine industry has bashed me unforgivingly, being at sea honestly makes me feel like the strongest, bravest, and most resilient person alive. I want to help other women feel that power too.” Being Asian-American has also added a layer of complexity in her interactions in the industry, especially since the beginning of the pandemic. “I’ve had some nasty

comments from people who find terms like Kung Flu and the Chinese Flu funny and have directed them towards me. I feel like shouting, ‘Hey! I live on a boat! I’m not out here trying to spread the virus!’ I was born here in the States, and it’s awful being treated like I don’t belong. We’re all humans with hearts.” Vivian has always believed that treating people fairly and with kindness is a part of her job, as well as her life. “I have always been someone who encourages helping each other and having a high degree of professionalism aboard. No matter what position I am hired on as, I will do whatever it takes to get the boat to the next port safely and efficiently. That means if I am mate, I help with dishes, even if I still have to tidy or clean the tender. If I am chef, I’ll still help with handling lines or cleaning outside of the galley. If other crew don’t take their jobs seriously, I just focus on what I need to do to set a good example. People who don’t care about the boat or their responsibilities don’t last long in this industry.” There were times, she says, when she wanted to give up. “But when you are motivated and have the drive to succeed in something you know you can do well, things start to fall

heart will lead you towards your goals.” These days, Vivian continues to push herself to learn and expand her professional experience. She’s on track to earn her 100-ton master’s license, and while the pandemic put a pause on their business, she and Nathan headed into 2021 with a booked sailing schedule aboard Ultima. And, with a second business called VIZA, Vivian is throwing herself wholeheartedly into her skills as a photographer, videographer, and licensed drone pilot. “When I was a kid, my heroes were David Attenborough and Connie Chung, and all I wanted was to be an explorer and reporter,” she says. “In many ways, being a sailor is much like being an explorer, so I feel like I’m pretty close to living out my childhood dream. And for that, I’m grateful.” Erin Carey is the founder of Roam Generation, a travel and lifestyle PR agency focused on helping brands and experts raise their profile and increase their organic reach. Roam Generation is run from Erin’s 47-foot Moody as she and her family sail around the world. Follow their adventures on Facebook @SailingtoRoam or to inquire about PR, visit roamgeneration.com.

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January/February 2022