The Ocean Rowing Society
Oct. 29, 2000
A Utah grandfather is battling giant waves, a loss of appetite, and sheer boredom. But he's hanging in there, all by himself in the middle of an ocean.
Richard Jones is making real headway in his attempt to row all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. News Specialist John Hollenhorst spoke with him Sunday and has this report.
We reached him with a very expensive call to his satellite phone. Richard Jones has a few modern amenities that Christopher Columbus didn't have. But he's following nearly the same route, in a much smaller boat.
Jones took his boat called The Brother of Jared on its shake-down cruise two years ago on Bear Lake, and that same year he aborted his first attempt at an ocean crossing.
But after two more years of training, and with an entirely new navigational strategy, he's making real progress toward Miami from the Canary Islands.
In the last 19 days, he's rowed 705 miles, averaging 37 miles a day. When we reached Jones by satellite phone he told us he's battled waves 15 to 20 feet high. It reminds him of running rivers in Utah.
RICHARD JONES BY PHONE: "THE BIG STUFF IS LIKE RUNNING THE BIG DROP RAPIDS IN CATARACT CANYON, ALL DAY LONG. THE SMALLER STUFF IS JUST LIKE BEING IN THE RAPIDS OF A RIVER, RUNNING THE RAPIDS ALL DAY LONG, HOUR AFTER HOUR."
As we spoke, Jones was going to bed, his little boat tossing continuously in 10 foot waves.
RICHARD JONES BY PHONE: "I'M GETTING BATTERED BY BIG WAVES RIGHT NOW. BUT THINGS ARE O.K. I'M IN MY CABIN. I'M LAYING ON MY BACK INSIDE MY BOAT WITH THE LIGHTS ON. THE DOOR IS CLOSED, THE HATCH IS CLOSED. AND I CAN JUST HEAR THE WAVES BATTERING THE BOAT OUTSIDE."
On Jones' first attempt two years ago, a device that converts seawater into drinking water failed. A replacement is working now, but the water tastes bad. And his dehydrated food is unappetizing, thanks to occasional bouts of seasickness.
RICHARD JONES BY PHONE: "SO IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE TO KEEP FEEDING MYSELF. AND I HAVE TO TO KEEP UP MY STRENGTH."
Rowing all day, tossing around inside The Brother of Jared at night, Jones combats monotony and boredeom by doing imaginary projects.
RICHARD JONES BY PHONE: "I KEEP MY MIND BUSY, RESTORING MY MODEL-A, OR DOING OTHER THINGS TO KEEP MY MIND DIVERTED FROM WHAT'S GOING ON. IT'S A LONG WAYS TO GO, HAH, HAH, HAH."
Still well over 3,000 miles to Miami, but Jones says he's confident physically and mentally and has no doubt he'll make it.
Since he left the Canary Islands, he's seen just one ship, a few porpoises, and two bright yellow fish that seem to live under his boat. Maybe they think The Brother of Jared is really their Mom.
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