Boat leak scrubs attempt to row across Atlantic
A New Yorker's attempt to become the first black American to row solo across the Atlantic ended when his homemade boat sprung a leak hours after he left the coast of Africa Sunday.
Victor Mooney radioed for help after his boat started taking on water, according to a news release on his Web site. He was rescued by the Senegalese navy, but the 24-foot craft he built for the journey sank into the ocean.
The boat was made of what Mooney called "marine grade plywood."
Mooney - a 41-year-old college publicist who had been preparing for the trip for three years - could not immediately be reached for comment. The news release said he will return to his home in New York.
Local authorities said Mooney was not hurt but did not sound likely to try the trip again.
"He said "Never. It's finished,' " said Motor Diop Kane of Senegal's military police.
Mooney had said his voyage was to raise awareness of AIDS in Africa and memorialize the route that took African slaves to the Americas.
About 50 people had gathered on the beach to watch Mooney head off toward his hometown - many saying they wished him well but weren't sure why he was undertaking the dangerous adventure.
"He's crazy," said Gaston Sabaly, who works at a restaurant on the beach. "Everybody wants to go to America, but not like that."
Fewer than 50 people have completed solo rows across the Atlantic, according to the England-based Ocean Rowing Society. Four have been lost at sea in the attempt, and nearly 40 have had to abandon their trips, the group says.
Mooney had said he hoped to reach the Americas in about 120 days, reaching the Brooklyn Bridge by October.
His trip was delayed for nearly a month in Senegal to fix a keel broken by fishermen who tried to move his boat by rolling it on logs.
Mooney had wanted to raise money for AIDS medicine in Africa. He brought in only about $6,000 - about half what he spent on the trip.
Mooney trained for his trip by rowing around Long Island and New York City. He said he started with 30-mile rows, then worked his way up to 365 miles.
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060508/1034305.asp
A New Yorker's attempt to become the first black American to row solo across the Atlantic ended when his homemade boat sprung a leak hours after he left the coast of Africa Sunday.
Victor Mooney radioed for help after his boat started taking on water, according to a news release on his Web site. He was rescued by the Senegalese navy, but the 24-foot craft he built for the journey sank into the ocean.
The boat was made of what Mooney called "marine grade plywood."
Mooney - a 41-year-old college publicist who had been preparing for the trip for three years - could not immediately be reached for comment. The news release said he will return to his home in New York.
Local authorities said Mooney was not hurt but did not sound likely to try the trip again.
"He said "Never. It's finished,' " said Motor Diop Kane of Senegal's military police.
Mooney had said his voyage was to raise awareness of AIDS in Africa and memorialize the route that took African slaves to the Americas.
About 50 people had gathered on the beach to watch Mooney head off toward his hometown - many saying they wished him well but weren't sure why he was undertaking the dangerous adventure.
"He's crazy," said Gaston Sabaly, who works at a restaurant on the beach. "Everybody wants to go to America, but not like that."
Fewer than 50 people have completed solo rows across the Atlantic, according to the England-based Ocean Rowing Society. Four have been lost at sea in the attempt, and nearly 40 have had to abandon their trips, the group says.
Mooney had said he hoped to reach the Americas in about 120 days, reaching the Brooklyn Bridge by October.
His trip was delayed for nearly a month in Senegal to fix a keel broken by fishermen who tried to move his boat by rolling it on logs.
Mooney had wanted to raise money for AIDS medicine in Africa. He brought in only about $6,000 - about half what he spent on the trip.
Mooney trained for his trip by rowing around Long Island and New York City. He said he started with 30-mile rows, then worked his way up to 365 miles.
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060508/1034305.asp