HONOLULU (AP) — Oliver Widger, a 29-year-old sailor, has become a social media sensation after quitting his job to sail from Oregon to Hawaii with his cat, Phoenix. Widger, who now has over a million followers on TikTok and Instagram, attributes his decision to a growing dissatisfaction with his previous life as a manager at a tire company. He explained during a Zoom interview with The Associated Press: “The world kind of sucks, and I don’t think I’m alone in how I felt with my work. You can make $150,000 a year and still feel like you’re just making ends meet.”
Inspired by others who had sailed from California to Hawaii, Widger abruptly quit his job, despite having no savings and $10,000 in debt. He liquidated his retirement savings, taught himself to sail using YouTube, and purchased a $50,000 boat, which he spent months refitting. Since setting sail in April, Widger has been documenting his journey through his “Sailing with Phoenix” social media posts, capturing moments of adventure, seasickness, and life at sea.
The voyage has not been without challenges. Widger recounted harrowing moments such as a rudder failure and being locked in the engine compartment. Despite his relative inexperience, he has implemented safety measures, including a satellite phone and an emergency beacon. Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Harms of the U.S. Coast Guard praised Widger’s use of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which is crucial for rescuers in emergencies.
As Widger approaches Honolulu, he is ensuring that his cat, Phoenix, avoids Hawaii’s animal quarantine by arranging a mobile vet to assess her health upon arrival. Widger credits his journey to a health diagnosis that changed his perspective on life. He hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.
— new from KATU