An intrepid woman has sailed halfway around the world with just her cat.
Lauren Landers lives on her Beneteau Oceanis 510 sailing yacht with her moggy Mako, who she calls her first mate.
The 26-year-old has had the feline since he was just four weeks old and says “he has grown up on boats”.
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Mako gets strapped into a harness at night to prevent him from falling into the water.
And he has two special life jackets in case of choppy waters.
Lauren had a lifelong dream to sail the world and bought her boat, produced in 1993, three years ago.
The young influencer has a degree in Marine Biology and a 100-tonne captain’s license.
Lauren – who is like book character Phileas Fogg, travelling the world – is also a freediving instructor.
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“My first few years were spent gaining confidence in single-handling and fixing up my 30-year-old boat in preparation for larger ocean crossings,” Lauren told What’s The Jam.
“I’ve been sailing for nearly five years, and I’ve had my boat for three and a half years.“
Lauren has just finished a 4,000-mile trip from Panama to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.
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The journey took 28 days.
She said: “The beginning was a little rough, we had a lot of rain, inconsistent wind, wind on the nose, but eventually we reached the doldrums, crossed the equator, and had consistent trade winds with few squalls for the last 20 days.”
Lauren, who originally comes from landlocked Joplin in Missouri, US, is now enjoying some time on the Marquesas Islands before embarking on her return sail.
She said, “This passage has been a dream of mine to do for so long, and it still feels surreal to have accomplished it.
“I had a few minor issues, including having to go up the mast solo, but overall my boat performed beautifully and I am so happy to finally be in French Polynesia and to explore these beautiful islands.”
Lauren shares updates of her journey on her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube where she has a combined following of 560,000.
One fan said: “Girl, you’re making me so nervous out there alone, I love it for you, but my adrenals are stressed.”
“I watch so many of these long voyages from one place to another, and what impresses me most is usually by day 15, you can see the stress in some people, but not you, you’re just happy and so calm,” added another.
Samara said: “My Hubby and I watch you religiously. So incredibly proud of you. I envy your ambition, knowledge and self confidence!”
“You are incredibly brave and fearless! I’m so impressed by you,” remarked Stef.
Cat added: “Your videos are so calm and peaceful, it’s making me think I could do it.”
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