ephemerisle - User contributions [en]

Ephemerisle

2023-07-19T01:02:05Z

Reo: /* History */

[[File:Ephemerisle 2019.jpg |thumb|400px|right|Ephemerisle 2019, Photo Credit: Sameer Halai]]

We are thinkers, doers, artists, dreamers, muckrakers, and builders interested in life on the water. Every July we construct a floating city on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and live on it for a week.

There are no tickets, no central organizers, no rules, and no rangers to keep you safe.

The event only happens if people (like you!) contribute.

== Attending Ephemerisle 2023==
[[File:Happy.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Ephemerisle 2021, Photo Credit: Drew Smith]]
[[File:2020 dj.jpg |thumb|350px|right|Ephemerisle 2020, Photo Credit: Slavic Perry]]

Ephemerisle 2023 will take place July 24 - July 30 at Mandeville Tip!

Location Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/3Zhu5xPfWXjXGqap9

The community welcomes new participants. With no gates or tickets, the first challenges are getting there and having a place to stay.

The most critical details can be found here:

* [[Lodging|Where will you sleep?]]
* [[Transportation|How to get there?]]
* [[Packing List|What to bring?]]

Join the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/notephemerisle/ Facebook group], for active discussion for all things Ephemerisle.

== Boating 101 ==

Gatherings on the water present some unique challenges. Critical info and skills:

* [[Safety|Nautical safety]]
* [[Getting Around|Traveling Between Islands]]
* [[Knots]]
* [[Anchoring]]

The one agreed upon rule at Ephemerisle is "No Dying". Still unbroken!

== History ==

Ephemerisle was founded in [[Ephemerisle_2009|2009]] by the Seasteading Institute in order to promote their vision of autonomous societies in the ocean. After the first year, the Seasteading Institute stepped aside due to prohibitively expensive insurance costs. A group of seasteaders and friends who had rented houseboats for the event decided to show up anyways for an informal "Not-ephemerisle" gathering.

From [[Ephemerisle_2010|2010]] through [[Ephemerisle_2012|2012]], there was an informal coordinator who drew up the city plan and had some nominal decision-making power. In 2012, the Seasteading institute gave up any claims to the name "Ephemerisle" and the informal gathering took over the name.

At the [[Ephemerisle_2013|2013]] event, the community came together and unanimously made a decision to break up the gathering from a single leadership team into a set of independent autonomous islands.

That has been the nature of the event since. Groups of boats raft up together to form an island, and each island has a few rules, such as safety and quiet hours. People frequently visit other islands, and agree to comply with each island's rules while on it. Since [[Ephemerisle_2014|2014]], islands have risen and fallen, with change, fun, and ambitious decision-making the only constants.

The location of the [[Ephemerisle_2022|2022]] event moved six nautical miles south to [[Mildred Island]].

In 2023, Ephemerisle will return the Mandeville Tip.

The full [[History of Ephemerisle]].

== Culture ==
After lively discussion in 2012 about the values that connect Ephemerislers as a community, the following received broad support:

* '''Seasteading'''. Ephemerisle was started by [http://www.seasteading.org The Seasteading Institute] (TSI), a non-profit devoted the creation of long-term human communities on the water (aka [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasteading seasteading]). Although the event is now entirely community run, many of the attendees continue to be enthusiasts of living on the water.
* '''Art'''. A society without art has no soul. Just as Burning Man has inspired art in the desert, [[Art Projects|we build art]] on the water.
* '''Learning'''. One of the goals of TSI in starting Ephemerisle was to give people who may not have much boating experience the opportunity to gain nautical skills: anchoring, sailing, and ropework, in a relatively safe environment. In addition, many of the attendees are scientists, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs and activists, who frequently have fascinating stories to tell. There are many opportunities to learn from each other at Ephemerisle.
* '''Community'''. Spend a week rafted up on the Delta with awesome people, and you can't help but connect with old friends, and make new friends.

----

if you'd like to update this wiki, ask [https://www.facebook.com/geekeasy Adam Katz] for access.

Check out these [[Links]] for other interesting water related things.

History of Ephemerisle

2023-07-19T00:59:33Z

Reo:

__NOTOC__
{{History nav}}

[[File:Ithaka.jpg |thumb|450px|right|Ithaca Island - 2015]]

Seasteading is the movement to create autonomous communities (new cities or countries) on the sea. [http://seasteading.org The Seasteading Institute] (TSI) is a nonprofit that advances the movement. In [[Ephemerisle_2009|2009]], TSI created Ephemerisle as a laboratory of seasteading. Patri's [https://patrifriedman.com/projects/ephemerisle/ original website and info] about Ephemerisle is still online.

After the first year, TSI stepped aside due to prohibitively expensive insurance costs. A group of seasteaders and friends decided to continue the event on an informal basis, calling it "Not-ephemerisle." In 2011, TSI graciously handed the name over to the community and we became "Ephemerisle" again.

From [[Ephemerisle_2010|2010]] through [[Ephemerisle_2012|2012]], there were an informal leader over the event each year who drew up the city plan and nominally had some decision-making power. In 2012, the community unanimously decided to decentralize from a single leadership team into a independent autonomous islands. That has been the nature of the event ever since.

Houseboats were a key element of Ephemerisle's early history. In 2015, every houseboat available for rent in the Delta was rented within hours of the date being announced. In 2018, Paradise Point who provided the rented houseboats closed that part of their business, and that was the first year without any rented houseboats.

== 2009 ==

[[File: Ephemerisle 2009-1.jpg |thumb|200px|left|Ephemerisle 2009]]
The event was sponsored & run by [http://seasteading.org The Seasteading Institute] (TSI). The only year in Ephemerisle's history with tickets.

9 Houseboats and a community platform anchored to shore.

[[Ephemerisle 2009|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2010 ==

[[File:Ephemerisle_2010_dive_jump.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2010]]
TSI officially abandoned the event about a month before it was to begin due to prohibitively high insurance costs. Instead, leaderless, decentralized "NotEphemerisle" was born.

About 120 people showed up, with 8(?) houseboats, and a platform.

[[Ephemerisle 2010|(details)]]{{clr}}
== 2011 ==
[[File: 2011a.jpg |thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2011]]

TSI handed the name over to the community and the event became "Ephemerisle" again. Every houseboat available was rented and we built a U-shaped city.

Approximately 200 people and a 20'x24' platform.

[[Ephemerisle 2011|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2012 ==
[[File: 2012 platform build.jpg |thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2012]]

The first year of islands!

A 40+ knot windstorm wreaked havoc and inspired the sundering.

Jack Frenzy ran from the cops and went for a swim.

21 houseboats. 9 other boats. About 300 people.

[[Ephemerisle 2012|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2013 ==
[[File: 2013_b.jpg |thumb|150px|left|Shitshow]]

Islands gain independence.

The first independent islands were Dromhaven, Ithaka, Titan, and Shitshow/Blanket Fort.

[[Ephemerisle 2013|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2014 ==
[[File: 2014 brian 3.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2014]]

The biggest year of Ephemerisle so far.

Titan island was the "big island".

First cooking competition: Titan Chef.

[[Ephemerisle 2014|(details)]] {{clr}}

== 2015 ==
[[File: 2015 above.jpg |thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2015]]

All houseboats were rented within hours of date being announced.

Titan grows into the Elysium Archipelago. Bump bed made a bunch of noise.

Oceanus brings out a big ship.

[[Ephemerisle 2015|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2016 ==
[[File: 2016a.jpg |thumb|150px|left|"Ephemerisle 2016"]]

First year with a real pre-build (since perhaps 2009).

A record number of islands.

[[Ephemerisle 2016|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2017 ==
[[File: Art boats.jpg |thumb|150px|left|"Venom" and "Artemiid"]]

In early 2017, heavy storms damaged the Paradise Point marina. As a result, the marina only rented out 5 houseboats (instead of the 20+ that they normally rented out).

First time in history when houseboats were not one of the major element of the event.

[[Ephemerisle 2017|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2018 ==
[[File: Submarine 2018.jpg |thumb|150px|left|"Fangtooth" Submarine]]

First year that there were no rented houseboats.

First year with a submarine.

Tenth consecutive year with no major injuries or deaths.

[[Ephemerisle 2018|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2019 ==
[[File: Ephemerisle 2019.jpg |thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2019]]

More / better platforms.

More distance between islands (seemed more incidental than intentional).

More big sound systems

[[Ephemerisle 2019|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2020 ==

[[File: 2020 dj.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2020]]

Large parts of the community stayed away due to Covid-19.

Many Ephemerisle Island leaders and old timers wrote an Open Letter advising people to stay away this year.

Those who went had a great time, and there were no reported cases of spread.

[[Ephemerisle 2020|(details)]]{{clr}}

== 2021 ==

[[File: human_launcher_teddy.png |thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2021]]

A human launcher shows up (and is almost safe).

3 cases of covid on Mazapeta.

Vinyl island gives out countless hot dogs.

Bargey can't get unstuck from the mud.

[[Ephemerisle 2021|(details)]] {{clr}}

== 2022 ==

[[File: big_air.jpg |thumb|150px|left|Ephemerisle 2022]]

Electric Avenue makes it's first appearance

Human launcher is back

There are some challenges with ferry & infrastructure

Bargey breaks down a few miles away

[[Ephemerisle 2022|(details)]] {{clr}}

Transportation

2023-07-19T00:40:56Z

Reo:

Ephemerisle cannot be reached by land. You must arrange for transport and lodging by boat beforehand. While daytrippers are welcome, please make sure that you arrange a means of getting to and from the event beforehand. Most ferries to shore end at dusk and don't start again until dawn. If you miss the last ferry, you could spend a cold, sleepless night.

In most years, Ephemerisle has been at [[Mandeville Point]], about 11 miles from the city of Stockton. Note when calculating travel time that some of the roads are interrupted by bridges that may be raised to allow for boat traffic.

There are basically three options:

* Catch a ferry
* Launch your boat/structure from a nearby boat ramp
* Bring your own boat all the way by water

== Getting a ride on a ferry ==

Volunteer ferries are typically operated by the islands, and depart and return to one of the nearby marinas (which are listed below). Check with the leaders of your island to see if there is a volunteer ferry for your island. Ferry schedules vary depending on the person operating the ferry. Do not expect a ferry to tow your floating land or art unless you explicitly arrange this in advance.

The best place for info on how and where you can catch a ferry is the Ephemerisle Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/105172679576340

== Launching a boat/platform ==
[[File:Delta_sea_strainer_2020.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Sea strainer full of weeds]]

Towing home-built structures not designed for the water is very, very slow. There are strong currents in the channels and traffic from big ships, so coming by kayak can be risky and only should be attempted by experienced kayakers.

These are the closest usable boat ramps to Mandeville:

* King Island
* Paradise Point
* Lighthouse Marina
* Korth's Pirate Lair [Not ephemerisle friendly]

Check the [[Marinas]] pages for more locations and details.

Please note: You will have no problems launching or retrieving regular boats at local marinas, so long as you have a regular-looking seaworthy vessel. However, most marinas will not allow the launch of home-brew structures, any sort of onsite assembly, or other non-standard activities. If you are bringing a home-brew structure, we recommend asking for advice in the Facebook group.

== Sailing from SF Bay (and back) ==

Ephemerisle can be reached by water from the SF Bay.

It's about a 60 mile trip (16 hours by sailboat) from Berkeley. It tends to be a lovely two day sail there with the wind at your back all of the way out there. And it tends to be something of a nightmare trip back with pounding waves directly into the wind the entire way back.

Make sure you've got a depth sounder! Everyone runs aground in the delta.

Make sure you've got a good working engine. The trip back is very, very difficult without an engine.

If you're planning on making the trip, definitely read [[Sailing from SF Bay|more details]].

Ephemerisle

2023-07-19T00:33:46Z

Reo: Update 2023 section with location

[[File:Ephemerisle 2019.jpg |thumb|400px|right|Ephemerisle 2019, Photo Credit: Sameer Halai]]

We are thinkers, doers, artists, dreamers, muckrakers, and builders interested in life on the water. Every July we construct a floating city on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and live on it for a week.

There are no tickets, no central organizers, no rules, and no rangers to keep you safe.

The event only happens if people (like you!) contribute.

== Attending Ephemerisle 2023==
[[File:Happy.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Ephemerisle 2021, Photo Credit: Drew Smith]]
[[File:2020 dj.jpg |thumb|350px|right|Ephemerisle 2020, Photo Credit: Slavic Perry]]

Ephemerisle 2023 will take place July 24 - July 30 at Mandeville Tip!

Location Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/3Zhu5xPfWXjXGqap9

The community welcomes new participants. With no gates or tickets, the first challenges are getting there and having a place to stay.

The most critical details can be found here:

* [[Lodging|Where will you sleep?]]
* [[Transportation|How to get there?]]
* [[Packing List|What to bring?]]

Join the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/notephemerisle/ Facebook group], for active discussion for all things Ephemerisle.

== Boating 101 ==

Gatherings on the water present some unique challenges. Critical info and skills:

* [[Safety|Nautical safety]]
* [[Getting Around|Traveling Between Islands]]
* [[Knots]]
* [[Anchoring]]

The one agreed upon rule at Ephemerisle is "No Dying". Still unbroken!

== History ==

Ephemerisle was founded in [[Ephemerisle_2009|2009]] by the Seasteading Institute in order to promote their vision of autonomous societies in the ocean. After the first year, the Seasteading Institute stepped aside due to prohibitively expensive insurance costs. A group of seasteaders and friends who had rented houseboats for the event decided to show up anyways for an informal "Not-ephemerisle" gathering.

From [[Ephemerisle_2010|2010]] through [[Ephemerisle_2012|2012]], there was an informal coordinator who drew up the city plan and had some nominal decision-making power. In 2012, the Seasteading institute gave up any claims to the name "Ephemerisle" and the informal gathering took over the name.

At the [[Ephemerisle_2013|2013]] event, the community came together and unanimously made a decision to break up the gathering from a single leadership team into a set of independent autonomous islands.

That has been the nature of the event since. Groups of boats raft up together to form an island, and each island has a few rules, such as safety and quiet hours. People frequently visit other islands, and agree to comply with each island's rules while on it. Since [[Ephemerisle_2014|2014]], islands have risen and fallen, with change, fun, and ambitious decision-making the only constants.

The location of the [[Ephemerisle_2022|2022]] event moved six nautical miles south to [[Mildred Island]].

The full [[History of Ephemerisle]].

== Culture ==
After lively discussion in 2012 about the values that connect Ephemerislers as a community, the following received broad support:

* '''Seasteading'''. Ephemerisle was started by [http://www.seasteading.org The Seasteading Institute] (TSI), a non-profit devoted the creation of long-term human communities on the water (aka [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasteading seasteading]). Although the event is now entirely community run, many of the attendees continue to be enthusiasts of living on the water.
* '''Art'''. A society without art has no soul. Just as Burning Man has inspired art in the desert, [[Art Projects|we build art]] on the water.
* '''Learning'''. One of the goals of TSI in starting Ephemerisle was to give people who may not have much boating experience the opportunity to gain nautical skills: anchoring, sailing, and ropework, in a relatively safe environment. In addition, many of the attendees are scientists, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs and activists, who frequently have fascinating stories to tell. There are many opportunities to learn from each other at Ephemerisle.
* '''Community'''. Spend a week rafted up on the Delta with awesome people, and you can't help but connect with old friends, and make new friends.

----

if you'd like to update this wiki, ask [https://www.facebook.com/geekeasy Adam Katz] for access.

Check out these [[Links]] for other interesting water related things.