St. Bernard couple's shrimp boat takes them on 5-month, 6,000-mile trip around Great Loop

quote:

---

The route is in mostly protected waters. It includes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, New York State canals, Canadian canals, the Great Lakes, inland rivers, and the Gulf. What makes the voyage so special is that "Loopers" take on this adventure using their own boats in their own time. Some have done it in as little as six weeks. Others have taken years to complete it.

---

quote:

---

To prepare, the couple began researching the Great Loop, deciding on the right vessel for the journey. After much deliberation, they chose the boat they know best — the Stacie Lynn, a 41-foot Lafitte Skiff and the family shrimp boat.

---

quote:

---

After fueling up with 750 gallons of diesel, and loading 150 gallons of water and provisions aboard to last several months, (including Louisiana seafood in the freezer), the Alfonsos were ready to embark.

The Stacie Lynn departed Delacroix Island on May 23, 2024. Each day, the couple would witness the sunrise, eat breakfast, and travel for about five hours.

---

quote:

---

Tracy Alfonso said one highlight stands out above the rest — 305 feet in the air to be exact. When they reached the New York Harbor and got a picture of the Stacie Lynn in front of the Statue of Liberty. “We couldn’t believe we made it to the Statue of Liberty on our own shrimp boat, probably the only shrimp boat to ever anchor there.”

By the end of the trip, they had befriended several wealthy boat owners. "We left Louisiana on a shrimp boat, and here we are in Canada eating hors d'oeuvres and drinking Champagne on the back of a yacht," he said.

The experience was life-changing and a reminder of the good in the world, Stacie Alfonso said. “With the hustle and bustle of the world today, we sometimes forget that there are lots of good people out there. We made some of what we feel will be lifelong friendships with some wonderful people.”

---