Do you trust random fishing boats in the middle of nowhere? On the one hand you have a beautiful interaction with fellow humans on the other side of the world. On the other you're putting yourself at risk. Personally we believe 99.99% of our fellow humans are compassionate and altruistic. Especially on the water. What would you do? EXTRA CONTENT at www.patreon.com/nahoa

Ed and I lived on a sailboat for 14 years. This happened in 1980. After anchoring at Deep Bay, we spent a day resting up for our 100-mile overnight passage from Antigua, north to the Dutch island of St. Maarten. In the middle of the afternoon, we were startled out of our bunks by loud pounding on our steel hull. We came up on deck to find three men climbing on board. (A definite no-no; you never board another boat without permission.) Considering the grubby appearance of these three middle-aged men, my first thought should have been that they were pirates, and that we were being hijacked - but I never worried about stuff like that. Ed was by the ladder trying to stop the lead man from coming on board, but this man was gently pushing Ed back to the cockpit, while he unwrapped something rolled up in a newspaper. My second thought was that he was going to try to sell us a fish. These men probably hadn't waited for an invitation, because they wouldn't have understood us anyway, as they only spoke Spanish. With Ed still attempting to protest, the first man reached the cockpit table, and unrolled the newspaper to reveal a chart. I said, "They probably just want information on where to anchor in St. John's Harbor." We had had trouble over the location of the anchorage the first time we had taken Tropic Moon into the harbor. Expecting to see a chart of Antigua, I was surprised to see a chart that covered the whole Caribbean Sea. The first man, with many smiles, pointed at the chart, and then pointed toward land. "San Marteen?" We just looked at him, then pointed at the island and said, "Antigua." He frowned, pointed again and said, "San Marteen?" We responded, "No, Antigua!" and pointed to it on the chart. He looked to his two friends, who had also gathered in the cockpit, "Antigua!" They all frowned over the chart. Ed's four years of high school Spanish came in handy when the leader asked him, "Where is San Marteen?" Ed pointed to the northwest and said, "Cien milas" (100 miles). That brought a lot of muttering, and one man with a straw hat nodded in an ‘I told you so’ manner. The three men were from a large, ancient-looking motor yacht named Dona Concepcion, which they’d anchored near us. We gathered, through sign language, pointing at the chart, and hesitant Spanish, that they were traveling from Puerto Rico to Venezuela. They had wanted to make a stop at St. Maarten. They explained they’d been north of Anguilla early that morning. As St. Maarten is south of Anguilla, they had motored for three hours out into the Atlantic, then turned southwest and traveled the rest of the day, till they found themselves at what turned out to be Antigua. The man asked Ed how many miles it was from Anguilla to St. Maarten. They all looked rather pained when Ed said it was only five miles - you could see from one island to the other. They obviously couldn't read the chart, and had no idea of the relative distances between the islands. Ed tried to explain that one degree on the chart equaled 60 miles. They all nodded, but didn't really seem to understand. Then one man uncovered our compass, and asked for the reading to St. Maarten. Ed told him, and he carefully wrote down the number Ed was saying. Then he asked the compass direction from Saba (another island) to St. Maarten, and Ed showed him how to read it off the chart. Again the blank nodding, because he next asked for the reading from St. Maarten to Saba, which, of course, was the opposite number on the compass from the Saba-to-St. Maarten direction. The man tried explaining something to Ed, but Ed couldn't follow his Spanish. The man wrote "Japan" on his paper. I looked at it, and said it looked like Japan. Ed said, yes, but he didn't get the connection. I suggested, "What about that big fleet of Japanese fishing boats in St. Maarten?" Ed tried "fishing boats" in Spanish, and got smiles and nods of agreement. Our visitors sat around in discussion for quite a while, finally getting up to leave. We had told them we were sailing to St. Maarten that night. I said to Ed, it was a wonder they weren't going to try to follow us. Ed said they’d discussed it, but decided they were too tired, as they'd been traveling since the previous day. As the men were shoving off in their dinghy, I waved, making use of my limited Spanish vocabulary, "Adios!" Grinning, they replied, "Manana, San Marteen!" Since they couldn't understand me anyway, I called out, "We'll be there, but I doubt if you will!" Dona Concepcion did show up two days later, and anchored near the Japanese fishing fleet at the entrance of the harbor.

To my fellow Canadians, from northern Ontario. Never miss a episode. Sometimes I think your both crazy. Sometimes I fear for all of you. Today you renew my faith in mankind. Thank you. ❤

Watching the whole interaction of trading with that fishing vessel and tying up the bags to exchange and everything was just incredibly satisfying. I love your content and love your family wishing you all the best stay safe and positive! Sending love and happy wishes from Wisconsin!

Hi from Calgary. So great to see Nahoa underway again and with crew this time :-). Everyone looks well and happy (most of the time) two adorable children. So unfortunate to see your encounter with all the garbage but just emphasizes the importance for ALL of us to do what we can to reduce our contribution no matter where we call home. Your encounter with the Indian fishing vessel proves out the Nahoa philosophy most people are good and see not a single gun involved just beer fruit and fish. trust in humanity. I've always liked your approach to security while under way, be aware, prepared and have a plan. A proud Canadian/Indian moment on the high seas.well done. Travel safe see you next week.

Former US military. Hard for me to be that trusting with my family. But I would love to see the world like you do. Great admiration, for your bravery. Love your channel. Been watching for 3 + yrs

You guys are an inspiration. I've been to the bush in Africa and absolutely exposed and always felt safe and respected. Only in the inner parts of mega cities have I ever felt like I was in danger. I admire your ethics and philosophy towards humanity. But glad you are safe and making good progress!

So glad to see you back on Nahoa! Please be careful! Lots of love and safe travels! Keep up the hard work and awesome content! By far the best channel on the tube!

I have been watching your channel for years now, but this was by far the best piece you have ever done! Congratulation Ashley and Ben for this outstanding video, LOVE - PEACE and keep on sailing!!!

With all of the horrific sights and news coming out of Ukraine it was nice to see a story on people coming together in a nice way despite differences in language, culture and current purpose on being out on the ocean...thanks for sharing.

Your attitude is encouraging and inspiring. I hope you always have positive experiences and interactions on your travels. Be safe! Your audience adores you four.

I’ve travelled to 42 countries so far, and I must say I share your optimism in the good in people. It’s important to keep an open mind and be positive, because in the end most people are good.

Great video! I'm so glad that you guys are sailing again. I have always enjoyed your content, especially the videos where you are actually sailing. Looking forward to more. Take care!

Appreciate your drawing attention to our mistreatment of the big blue oceans.

You guys SCARED me with that intro. So great to see you guys cruising the oceans again, all the best, can't wait for the next one :D

Great to have you guys back! I spend a bit of time in mountains of BC and always carry bear mace with me. It’s cheap, easy to use, sprays a good 15-20 feet, can hook on to your belt and will definitely stop any would be intruder in their tracks! You’ll almost certainly never need to use it but it could provide a little piece of mind. I know all your subscribers would feel a little better knowing you guys are a little safer out there. Thanks guys! You’re an inspiration

You guys are simply amazing! We wanted to say THANK YOU for trusting the goodness of people. We have been watching you since you started and you touch our souls with your willingness to meet people for who they are, and who we all are, humans. We are sending are boy off into the world next year and can't wait to start our sailing adventures. Thank you for being such a great inspiration to get off the beaten path and see the world!!! Thank you, thank you Thank you!!!!

just total admiration for you both! your babies are very fortunate to have this experience growing up with parents like you. take care and God bless!

I haven't made it to the end of the video yet but I'm on the edge of my seat after that intro!! Good vibes and prayers for safe travels for your family on your beautiful journey 💙

Love watching your family adventures! Thank you.

I've seen you handle it before and you do all the right things to keep your family safe. Always love the videos! Thanks for sharing

that was one of the most authentic human experiences I think anyone has ever recorded. Just humans being humans defying nature in the middle of nowhere and sharing what they have with each other. This probably happened a lot in history but still so very rare to see. The chances of running into someone else out there has got to be astronomical. That was very cool to get to experience this with you. Makes me want to build a boat. I dont remember who said it but this reminds me of a quote "If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."

Ben, when you get in a reflective mood and unload on video, it's compelling. Love your work.

Your openness to strangers is inspiring, thank you!

This was so cool to watch. I understand the angst and glad you had such a good experience!

Wow, that was an excellent episode of the drama that is Nahoa. Good luck, best wishes and prayers to you as you finish this next lap!

I just love how relaxed you are with your kids. They are two very lucky little people sailing the world with the best parents.

Hi Nahoa! We've been binge watching your channel from the beginning and just got caught up to real time! Sadly, now we're like everyone else and must wait a week between videos. Lol. Trying to keep this short. Wanted you to know how much we appreciate you both. Ashley, your birth video with Bodhi was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it! I'm a labor and delivery nurse, and I SO wanted to be with you, helping you labor and the drive to the hospital! I think I could have helped you both a lot. 😁 We love how you immerse your family into the cultures, fall in love with them, and the respect you give to the people you meet. You give a better impression of who North Americans are than most. I feel as tho we give the rest of the world a horrible impression of us N Americans. Lastly, we have learned SO much about sailing from you. We've watched other sailing channels, who are great, but you guys teach and we appreciate that! Just really love you and your littles (who are completely adorable, btw). ❤❤💕 From Marilyn (and Garry).

Another great video. I must admit that I was worried there for a moment lol. Instead of a bad experience this was a great opportunity to meet other seafarers, I bet you made their day! 😊👍

Wow, you guys are so brave! Couple months ago we crossed from Thailand to Maldives then from Maldives to Seychelles and got chased by those fishing IMULA's all the time, until we decided to turn off our AIS. That helped, as we just 2 on the boat and we don't want them close... Safe passage and hope we will meet somewhere soon. Maybe Zanzibar? :)

Fantastic video, love you guys, thank you.

Glad to see the four of you are doing well. Safe travels.

Yeh this was a curious video and I was nervous for you. So glad you’re okay-this world is big and lots going on. I can only say for myself that I forget as a land person the other things happening on other parts of the water. Prayers you are very.safe and guided to your destination easily and effortlessly. 🙏

Your amazing! I would freak out, and yes, think I’d carry a couple cartons of smokes on board! Be safe you guys!

Love to see you back on the water. Great video as always.

Great video again thx a million for the share and work xxx

Glad things went positive this go around. Fun to be able to trade so far offshore. I’ve heard flares could be used as protection if need be.

Great video and yes the garbage is not good... In my sailing I found Indonesia to be the worst. Also in Indonesia on one occasion and I avoided a possible unpleasant incident of allowing a group of men to board near Sumatra by waving them off with a mock 12g shotgun,,, Again going up the Red Sea we were rapidly approached by a skiff with multiple men while we'll off shore off the coast of Eritrea and felt very threatened but they seem to loose interest when they got close and saw we had 5 guys on board and we had spearguns and machetes in hand... another occasion was definitely pleasing as a fishing boat moored next to me and gave me a lovely coral trout this was near Borneo 😀. For the most part being at sea is a safe place where we help each other rather than not. Yes we kept cartons of cigarettes for barter and bribes 😁🙏

That’s so awesome!!!! Your vibes are what brings good people to you!!! Keep it up!!! 👍👍

Great video guys, really enjoyed the content :)

Forget the gun, CIGARETTES are the answer! 🤣🤣 add that to the list of statements I never in my life thought I'd say 😅😂

Flame thrower!

Always amazed at how wonderful people are and you show it so beautifully on your chanel! Love you guys 🤙🏻🤙🏻

Wow it looks incredible out there. Thank you.

Look at how calm that water is out in the middle of nowhere. I don't think that you could ever see the Atlantic like that. It's always a good thing to have tradables like chocolate, cigarettes, tobacco.

Trust is simply trust regardless of the unknown situation you have always have a flare gun, it's mandatory and you don't ever want to receive it but USE it in defense. Just from my experience as Yacht Captain for 36 years.

You guys are so chilled!

5 months at sea in the pacific. Absolutely so excited about your encounter. First time to see you. Just awesome.

I am worried for your safety, maybe to team up with some other boats for crossing? I have feeling that the waters can become more and more dangerous... best of luck and take care of yourselves, you are such a beautiful family...

Are you allowed a crossbow if not a crossbow a longbow or compound bow that can be set up for fishing but also used for very effective protection in an emergency

Happy Easter! You guy's doing great!

Thankyou and good luck for the future 👍

Cigarettes are a mainstay of trade in that region you should carry a carton or two just for that. Make one of them menthol. Even the big cargo ships carry cartons of cigarettes for trade. I think you handled that encounter very well.

they dump 100s of dumptrucks a day strait into the ocean its not a accident

Several years ago my wife and I were on a sailboat that went from Singapore to Phuket, Thailand, (through the Malaka Straight). This is a notorious pirates area. Since it was illegal to have a gun our captain had molotov-cocktails at the ready all the time. We would also steer miles out of our way if we ever saw a vessel (any vessel) that would cross our path. We got to Phuket and back with no confrontation, but it is a bit unnerving -BUT one of the most memorable times of my life. I live vicariously now through your channel. THANKS!!!

Just love what you are doing. Much love and respect from the uk.

Being naive is fine until shit hits the fan! Breeding on a boat? OH MY!

“You have to trust that people are good…” That’s the same philosophy that two girls hiking in the middle east together had….before the locals found them and beheaded them. (They filmed it too and put it on KZfaq!!) Your boat is your home. Like your home, it should be well armed with very carefully thought out and planned defense system or systems. Be able to protect your family. Be friendly until you can’t.

Love your honesty. THIS is actual reality TV. Looking forward to more honest videos of your cultural experiences. Trust but verify is a good strategy.

Great video guys!

The logical side of my melon says this video wouldn’t get posted if y’all weren’t OK…then the fight/ flighty side is a bit nervous in a Hitchcock type of anticipation.

I travelled a lot, but on land. And I know that mistrust, especially in poorer countries, is absolutely a lifesaver. I rather be an alive asshole than a dead, robbed or worse nice person. I play with the idea of travelling the world in a boat in the future, for now I just wanna do a bit of the UK, and the meds, and then I see. Not a gun person, in fact I am german and we don't do guns at all unless you're a cop, soldier or hunter, but if I would be allowed to I would absolutely bring a gun with me. On high seas, hundreds of miles away from the next cop or next person to help you I need to be able to defend myself against other people. The same way, when you go into the deep african bush and bring a gun - tribes attack you, animals attack you. You can't really go anywhere without one. And your guide will always carry one. Sure, you probably and hopefully never will have to, but it would absolutely be a good idea. But as you mentioned; It is illegal in many places, and it is not feasible to risk punishment over it. You do can give up your gun until you leave the country, but then what is it good for? The problem with machetes, knives, harpoons etc is; They're dangerous to use because you are easy to be disarmed when they have guns, and pirates normally have guns, you're also pretty useless with them until they are very, very close to you, and you know the saying; Never bring a knife to a gun fight. Besides allowing guns will also mean that some nutjobs will be able to legally carry them also.

Amazing editing once again! Stay safe and keep smiling.

I have watched your channel off and on for long time you guys are great people I wish you fair winds

"Better to have a gun and not need it than to need it and not have it" .. personally, if my wife and kids were aboard, I'd have at least 1. The husband, fathers job is 1st and foremost the protector. I understand that some countries governments don't trust the citizenry and firearms aren't allowed, when visiting those places, just avoid waving your rifle around on deck and you'll be fine. I also would hope that you would be sharp enough to not mention that you're armed on you tube ;) I dig your channel and wish you and your family all the best!

I would never go on a long voyage without guns.

Nice to be back cruising with Nahoa!

So happy to have found your channel. I will definitely be following your journey. I live in Gordons Bay, South Africa 🇿🇦 and you will be passing this way. Wishing you safe travels and take care 🙏

15 years in asia. Mostly west sumatra. Fisherman here are no issue. But i still get freaked out when they get close to ask for whiskey. I am solo. They are more than 2 usually. I think the day will come where we wont be safe anymore cruising. Global Economics and political tyrany. Just my opinion.

Happy to see you guys back on your beautiful Nahoa. Decent trade, that. Stay safe all

I just started watching your epic adventures today. Your time in Madagascar was so wonderful. It brought back memories of THE MOST incredible time of my life when I was so fortunate to had won a business trip there with Hermes of Paris. Hermes owns property there and that's where they grow so much of the exquisite flowers that they use in their perfumes. I was a fragrance ambassador for them at Neiman Marcus downtown Dallas Texas. It was in 2001 and life changing for me even 22 years ago. I adore your life and your adventure.

Hooray for new video!!! 💖💖💖

Thank you for sharing.

I REALLY like how you do what you do. You are real. There are so many people out there sailing like you are. They couldn't hold my interest for more than one episode. In my opinion you make people feel what you are feeling. You make us want to watch you.

Awesome guys!

Must have been nail biting moments, but great to see that people are genuinely nice and peaceful, especially at sea. Be safe!!

Cool video. I can see how a person’s survival mentality would kick in. Glad you shared and hope your isolation ends relatively soon. Big adventures consist of holding on to the good memories and letting go of the hard times. Cheers, Will

Thanks for sharing...Great adventure. .

Awsome the babies are growing fast so adorable! Great boarder out come kool content. 🙏❤️🤘😎

You guys are awesome!!!

I think you’re still a lot safer than you would be walking down the street back home. I enjoy all your videos. You keep it real. Great that you’re at last sailing somewhere again. I hope that pays off for all the patience with Covid and the preparations you have made.

Great video team. Love

Hi from Florida. Thanks and Be Safe.

Hi Guys, Good to see you back on the water where you are happy!! from Surrey, BC

Holy crap! I was so nervous at the beginning. Even knowing logically you are safe because you posted this days ago.😁 you just have great Nature's and lots of good karma. I just love you guys. Safe Journeys love from Alberta.💖💖🐻🌏🇨🇦

fav part of every sunday, a new video uploaded

Love you guys. Such beautiful family and I wish you all safe and happy travels. Xx Meg's Australia 🇦🇺 xx

I like you believe in the basic goodness of man. I think you have a great attitude and are teaching your children the right way the humane way to see each other as good. God bless you and your family. I am so glad I found your channel.

Hey guys. Was great meeting you in Phuket. Thanks again and really hope to hook up again. Great channel and lots of learning! I’ll be watching out for you and family. Cheers Craig

Great video!! Happy the trade went well. Fair winds ⛵️

Lol wow that was some solid editing. Made it appear WAY more dramatic and intense than it turned out to be lol you stumbling over made it look like you were running to defend your vessel and family. Great video as always! I can tell you’re taking the story telling and editing up a couple notches

I loved watching the fish trade and how it was done. So cool.

Love the content 🤗👍🙏🏽

Awesome videos!!! Keep them rolling! I know you guys would be out there again living the life. All these doubters saying you would never leave😂

I missed you guys nice to see u again ☺️

It'd random interactions like this that restores my faith in humanity.

I am planning to retire on a boat... I was 100% sure I was going to have a gun or two on my boat. After watching hundreds of hours of YT videos from you and others, I am not convinced I will have any guns now. You are wonderful people and excellent stewards of mankind.

I have read of folks having a working flare gun with lots of flares. If a vessel appears aggressive, a shot across the bow shows that you might light them on fire.

Happy Easter Guys. He is risen.

Good approach!