Captain Red Flowers Completes the Great Loop with Proteus
The Great Loop
The Great Loop is a magnificent 6,000 nautical mile (9,600 km) waterway route that circumnavigates the eastern United States and portions of Canada. This remarkable journey primarily follows the Intracoastal Waterway, while incorporating rivers, lakes, and canals along the way. For boating enthusiasts, the Great Loop represents the ultimate adventure—a multi-month or even year-long expedition through diverse landscapes, cultures, and communities.
Breaking Records for a Cause
In a remarkable display of determination and compassion, Captain Scott "Red" Flowers embarked on an extraordinary mission to break the world record for the fastest completion of the Great Loop. His motivation extended beyond personal achievement—he aimed to raise crucial awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.
Using a Canyon Bay 28H vessel equipped with cutting-edge navigation technology, Captain Red and his team successfully completed this challenging circuit in just 19 days, 19 hours, and 50 minutes, establishing a new world record for the fastest navigation of the Great Loop. This impressive feat was dedicated to generating support for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
Capt. Red utilizes Proteus on his journey through The Great Loop Challenge!
Proteus: Effortless Navigation and Enhanced Safety
A key component of Captain Red's record-breaking journey was the user-friendly Proteus Hub navigation system. With its intuitive interface, Proteus required minimal training while delivering maximum results—allowing Captain Red to focus on breaking records rather than wrestling with complicated technology.
The system's automated critical alerts warned of potential hazards, shallow waters, and approaching vessels, providing crucial early warnings that prevented dangerous situations. These timely notifications proved invaluable when navigating unfamiliar or congested waterways throughout the Great Loop.
Proteus dramatically improved situational awareness by integrating with the boat's existing radar to provide comprehensive real-time 2D and 3D imaging. This enhanced visibility gave Captain Red a complete picture of his surroundings, particularly vital during challenging conditions.
"At night, I felt my comfort level skyrocket because I felt like I had night vision [with Proteus]!" Captain Red Flowers remarked, highlighting how the system transformed his nighttime navigation capabilities.
Beyond navigation, Proteus offered superior vessel control features that streamlined operations, allowing for more precise maneuvering and efficient course adjustments. This advanced control system enabled Captain Red to maintain optimal speeds and headings throughout his record-breaking journey, even in technically challenging sections of the Loop.
Through his remarkable achievement, Captain Red demonstrated how modern, accessible navigation technology like Proteus can transform ambitious waterway expeditions, making them safer, more efficient, and ultimately more successful.
Capt. Red completed The Great Loop in 19 days, 19 hours, and 50 minutes. Achieving a new world record for fastest navigation of The Great Loop, all in an effort to raise money for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.