In August 2020, Dr. Richard (Rich) Osman, an Ear Nose and Throat specialist based in Myrtle Beach, traded in his white coat for life at sea. He had been in practice for more than 33 years; he examined about 45 patients a day, and he was 59 years old.
“I definitely retired earlier than planned, but I haven’t looked back since,” he said. Dr. Osman’s wife, Kimberly, an audiologist, traded in grueling days too so she could join him aboard their Leopard 45 catamaran, aptly named Hear’s 2 Us.
Gone are the stressful days of managing a private practice—navigating the complex web of insurance reimbursements, fighting to stay profitable amidst the looming threat of healthcare corporatization, Rich explained. Instead, he and Kimberly have risen with the sun off the coast of Portugal, practiced yoga on the deck before heading ashore in their dinghy for more adventures.
“There’s nothing quite like the sensation of cutting through the water on a calm, sun-drenched day,” said Kimberly. “Once the motor is off and the sails catch the wind, we feel the purest connection to nature as Hear’s 2 Us sails smoothly across the waves.” Harnessing the wind, watching dolphins leap alongside them, or catching a glimpse of a whale breaching in the distance – these are experiences that the Osman’s never take for granted.
“We both love history,” said Rich. “So when we are traveling, we do a lot of tours. We appreciate the architecture in Europe. Roman ruins, various temples – Greek, Islamic, Christian – the history and the architecture of these places are amazing.”
Rich often fishes as they sail – mahi, tuna, blue marlin. “I caught a blue marlin that was about six feet long,” said Rich. He cleans and cooks many fish he catches. The Osman’s keep a logbook and a Facebook account to chronicle the miles traversed and the experiences that unfold. In late August, Hear’s 2 US had sailed 15,600 nautical miles since they purchased her in 2021.
The sailing life, like private practice, has it challenges too, both Rich and Kimberly are quick to note. “The highest waves we have faced were about 12 to 14 feet high,” said Kimberly. “It was like a big wall of water, but it wasn’t as terrifying as I thought it would be.”
“Waves that crash over the boat – those are trying,” she added, “During a trip to the Tortugas, electric lightening took out our power,’ said Rich. “We were used to sailing with autopilot, but suddenly we had no instruments, no maps. We were sailing old style with a compass trying to stay on course. But we made it from Marco Island to St. Augustine, Florida.”
The adventurers often take a break from sailing in Florida or at their condo in Myrtle Beach. Most of time their breaks are spent planning the logistics for their next sail.
They are proud members of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA), Atlantic Rally Cruisers (ARC), and the Atlantic Posse – organizations that educate sailors, build camaraderie, and facilitate offshore passages.
The Osman’s set sail around the Balearic Islands and Sardinia in early October. Their iterinary was full – Ibeza, Mallorica, Menorca, Sardinia, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and eventually Sicily, where they will leave Hear’s 2 Us until March. For Drs. Rich and Kimberly Osman, life aboard Hear’s 2 Us is one of freedom, adventure, and a newfound balance—far from the pressures of their former careers. Their hope is that others will join them and savor breathtaking experiences too.
Dr. Rich Osman At-At-Glance
Dr. Richard C. Osman was an ENT-otolaryngologist in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Grand Strand Regional Medical Center and Conway Medical Center. Though retired from clinical practice, Dr. Osman remains active in the medical community as an AMA Delegate for the South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA).
Undergraduate School University of Illinois Medical Education University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago Internship Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego CA Residency Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego CA
