Pascagoula resident sets sail to circumnavigate the earth

Pascagoula, Miss. (WXXV)- Earlier this month, one Pascagoula resident set sail on an ambitious voyage.

Nelson Walker’s goal is to circumnavigate the world by boat, learning to sail at the Singing River Yacht Club.

“He’s doing this and facing the elements. That’s his choice, it’s pretty scary for mama,” said Suzanne Gaulin, Nelson’s mother.

Walker received a big sendoff featuring members of the yacht club and his parents.

Walker moved to Pascagoula three years ago and fell in love with sailing. He was hired at the shipyard in Pascagoula to save up money for his eventual journey.

Encouragement and research is what led him to make the decision to set sail around the earth.

“I thought it was really a great turnout in the rain,” said Larry Rose, Nelson’s stepfather. “People still wanted to come out and make sure he knew they were behind him. It was great.”

Walker is using a boat he calls ‘Persimmon.’

Parker’s mother tells us she has confidence he will succeed. She points out his engineering mindset and hands-on skillset.

“I guess he likes anything that means challenge. He has his pilot license, his glider license. He has his SCUBA diving license, said Gaulin. “It’s cumulating skills and abilities. I think he has a lot going for him on this trip.”

“Immediately I thought this is an interesting kid. He was on top of things and curious. Wanting to learn whatever he could,” said Rose.

“That’s actually something that needs to be admired,” said Dick Dixon. “A lot of what Nelson has learned has been hands-on, but it’s also a lot of book knowledge or reading on the subjects.”

Dixon is a member of the Singing River Yacht Club. He and Walker talked extensively ahead of the journey.

“I’ve been one of those people to inspire him. Being careful and concerned for his safety. But at the same time, encouraging him to follow his dreams.”

Dixon is in contact with Walker during his journey as well, offering advice recently on severe weather.

Walker sharing on his blog a major storm system was coming his way as he was on the open water.

He made it through that storm, eventually linking up with Singing River Yacht Club Commodore Robert Myers in Alabama. Following the meeting, Walker continued his journey down the coast of Florida.

Walker has made it around Cape San Blas in Florida as of May 15th, just outside Panama City Beach. Dixon expects Walker to either rest at Cape San Blas or continue to Clearwater.

Walker’s mother and stepfather sharing with us they are hoping to visit him at some point during the journey.

“I hope that I might be able to visit him on this exotic island of Tahiti. It could be fun to see him, to wait for him on a strange shore,” said Gaulin.

You can follow Walker’s journey through his blog. The link to it can be found by clicking HERE.