Man begins journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a barrel
Digital Writer/Climate Change Reporter
Friday, December 28, 2018, 2:49 PM - If you think it's daring to travel down Niagara Falls in a barrel, wait until you hear what this 71-year-old Frenchman has planned.
As reported by the Associated Press, Jean-Jacques Savin, departed from Spain's Canary Islands on December 26 and expects to 4,500 km (2,800 miles) to the Caribbean in as little as three months.
The modest orange capsule is 3 metres long and does not contain any sails or engines. Savin built this reinforced capsule out of wood and resin, and designed enough space for a kitchen, a sleeping bunk, and storage in the tiny six square metres. There is also a porthole in the floor where Savin will be able to view passing fish.
Savin is seen preparing for his departure on December 26, 2018.
Savin is a former military paratrooper and has also worked as a pilot and park ranger, according to BBC.
Given the dangers of travelling across the ocean in a small vessel, the capsule was constructed to resist giant waves that could reach tens of metres high, and can withstand potential attacks by orca whales. A solar panel was also constructed to generate electricity to power communication devices and a GPS.
The cost of capsule was largely raised through crowdfunding initiatives, and totaled to approximately $68,000 USD.
He intends to prove a theory that was established by French doctor and adventurer Alain Bombard in 1952, which states that a journey across the Atlantic Ocean is possible to complete without any technical assistance. In 1952 Bombard crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 65 days by travelling on a rubber dinghy, and details in his novel that he solely survived on the fish and plankton that he caught.
Savin's journey will help oceanographers, as the capsule will drop markers throughout the journey to add to research being conducted on current patterns in the Atlantic Ocean by the JCOMMOPS international marine observatory.
In an interview with BBC, Savin shared some of the food items that he brought along in the vessel - a block of foie gras and a bottle of Sauternes white wine to celebrate New Year's Eve, and a bottle of red wine to celebrate his 72nd birthday on January 14th. Onions also appear to be on the menu, as seen in a recent selfie Savin shared on social media.
Savin has stated that he intends to provide updated to his Facebook page throughout his journey.
