A bloke who has sailed through the Pacific Ocean on a tiny boat has pretty much unlocked our biggest fear after showing his Google Maps location.
So we have this guy named Luke, who happens to be a school music teacher from Seattle, US.
Luke thought it would be a great idea to sail 3,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean on a 27ft sailboat and shared his adventure on TikTok last year.
The teacher, who goes by ‘sailing songbird’ on the platform, spent a month out at sea and in a TikTok video, said he would be paddle-boarding for some ‘exercise’.
“I’m stuck here in the doldrums,” he said in a viral clip, ‘there is no wind.’
And Luke really does seem to be in the middle of nowhere in the ocean, with Mexico appearing to be one of the closest spots a way away.
As he described it as ‘disorienting’ to paddle-board with ‘absolutely nothing on the horizon’ at ‘over 1,000 miles away from any piece of land’, viewers were losing their minds.
Users were quick to comment: “My thalassophobia could neverrrr.” As another even wrote: “That’s crazy because if you look closely you can see the HELL and the NAH.”
Thalassophobia is quite literally the fear of the ocean or other large bodies of water.
And it seems plenty of the TikTok viewers agree: “Nothing is creepier than an open body of water. I can’t.”
Another went on to say: “I think rule number 1 of crossing the ocean alone is ‘don’t leave the boat’.”
As others echoed: “Dude you’re giving me the fear… get back on the boat.”
One even joked: “This man is begging to give his life to Poseidon.”
@sailing_songbird After 49 days at sea, the feeling of placing my feet on land is a feeling I will never forget. After losing all communication with the outside world on Day 16 when my Starlink fell overboard, I was terrified of the solitude to come. At this point, looking back, I know that that was the best thing that could have happened to me. I am grateful for the solitude I experienced and am forever changed by the insights I had during this journey. Thank you to everyone that has followed along and stay tuned for the next video as I learn about all the South Pacific has to teach me. #sailing #solosailor #landho
And a user simply questioned as Luke chilled on his paddle-board in the open ocean: “Are there people out there with zero fear of anxiety?!? Is that a thing?
“Is it supposed to be that way? I need a study.”
However, while many were absolutely freaking out over the guy sailing the ocean alone so casually, others were amazed by his phone signal.
“Man’s uploading from the Pacific Ocean, and I’m losing network in my bathroom,” one wrote.
As another joked: “Damn the pacific got Wi-Fi?” Turns out, Luke has a dish on his boat so he can pick up the phone signal.
Additional words by Jess Battison
