A deep investigation into the lives of “anchor-outs” – a homeless community in California living at sea on abandoned boats –casting light on the struggles and resilience of those surviving on the fringes of society. In his debut work of narrative nonfiction, senior editor at Harper’s Magazine Joe Kloc introduces readers to the unique Californian community known as the “anchor-outs.” Set against the backdrop of Richardson Bay, Lost at Sea explores the lives and motivations of this sea-faring community who’ve repurposed abandoned vessels into their homes.
In recent decades, the animosity between the anchor-outs and the wealthy residents of Merin County – one of the richest in the whole country – has devolved into pure class warfare, with many of the hillside mansion-owners upset that their view of the water is obstructed. To that end, the county cites environmental concerns and maritime laws about the occupation of the bay. Kloc found that life on the anchorage is a lens into the struggles of so many homeless people who are at odds with societal norms, as well as those with significantly more means. The residents of Merin County, for example, pose environmental concerns about the anchorage; simultaneously, their aged sewage system is prone to spewing literal garbage on the streets.
In many ways, the story of the anchor-outs is the story of being poor in America. Questioning profit-driven policies that exacerbate the contemporary housing crisis, Lost at Sea weaves together stories from within the anchorage alongside the rich history of the region, spanning from the Gold Rush era to the devastating fire of 1906, explaining how these devastating policies developed. From a contemporary vantage point, it delves into the intense conflicts that arise between the anchor-outs, often facing homelessness, and the affluent hillside communities which seek to dismantle the anchor-out community for financial and recreational purposes.
Along the way, Kloc discovers a quiet beauty in the community built within the anchorage: how they’ve learned to care for each other, push back against capitalism and harmful policies, and, ultimately, advocate for a way of life that looks different than it does on shore. In doing so, Lost at Sea sheds light on the stark contrast between wealth and destitution within this very community – and speaks to the tragic, complex effects of homelessness writ large across America.
The pulsing, urgent tension begs the question: Don’t we all deserve to have a home, however we can build it?
