Storms, the threat of takeover by hostile forces, bad relations between members of the crew: it's not easy being a Taoiseach surrounded by a sea of troubles.
Mr Ahern probably had a natural sympathy for the five young members of the Coveney family who were planning to brave hurricanes, the threat of piracy and interfamilial tensions by sailing around the world in aid of the Chernobyl Children's Project.
"There are times in political life when you would feel like going out to sea," admitted Mr Ahern as he presided over the launch of the Sail Chernobyl project at Dublin Port yesterday. "But not on this particular venture," he added. The five Coveneys, aged from 19 to 25, plan to circumnavigate the globe over the next 20 months in The Golden Apple, a 51ft sailing ketch borrowed from their father, Fine Gael TD Mr Hugh Coveney.
They hope to raise £1 million for Chernobyl children over the 26,000-mile journey; a special AIB account has been set up for donations at South Mall, Cork (a/c no. 11100050).
"The weather is obviously the biggest challenge," said Mr Simon Coveney, at 25 the eldest of the crew. "This year is an El Nino year, which comes about every 10 years. In an El Nino year, hurricanes often come out of season."
His sister Rebecca, the only female on the crew and, at 19, the youngest family member participating, admitted that living with her four brothers at close quarters for 20 months could be difficult.
"I think it'll cause a bit of tension all right," she said. "I think I'm going to miss talking to my girl friends in Ireland. I'm pretty sociable and talk about different things from boys. Shaving my legs could also be a problem when it's rough."
Mr Ahern was joined at the launch by Ms Adi Roche, presidential candidate and founder of the Chernobyl Children's Project. "This is the most significant fund-raiser we have ever had in the history of the Project," said Ms Roche. "It's also the most adventurous and the most risky and the one with the most potential. We can translate this into saving lives. Thousands of lives will be saved because of this."
Ms Roche, in the midst of her presidential campaign, seemed briefly tempted by the opportunity to escape offered by The Golden Apple, which sails from Cork on Sunday.
"I'd be tempted for the next three weeks," she laughed. "I think there's still one small bunk bed to spare."