March 5, 2019
Two dreamers in the same boat
Six years ago, in June 2013, the sailors of the whole world wrote about the intention of the sailor Mitsuhiro Iwamoto to sail 6,000 nautical miles from the USA to Japan. Because Iwamoto is blind. He lost his sight in his youth.
At the same time, we emphasize that he is an experienced yachtsman. Together with him on board the 9-meter yacht was a Japanese television videographer: he was to capture all the main points of the journey, which, according to plans, was supposed to last about 60 days. But it turned out to be ten times shorter.
On the sixth day a whale crashed into the yacht (which was recorded by the underwater camera), and after a few minutes the boat went to the bottom. Fortunately, Iwamoto and the operator managed to move into the liferaft.
The psychological trauma that Iwamoto got then (who, by the way, lives in the USA), was the hardest. Crossing the Pacific was his cherished dream. In addition, he spent most of his money on preparing for the trip, and there was simply no money for the second attempt.
So everything would have remained a dream if one day Iwamoto did not meet with businessman Doug Smith (an American who, on the contrary, settled in Japan). He was not at all experienced, novice yachtsman. But he, too, had a dream – to perform some noble act.
Smith (who is 52 years old now, like Iwamoto) bought a 13-meter yacht for a new friend, which he named The Dream Weaver and fully prepared her for the long trip with his own money. In recent months, he has been training hard to improve his yacht skills, and …
And exactly a week ago, on February 27, The Dream Weaver, with Iwamoto and Smith on board, left San Diego. They stand at the helm in turn, but the Japanese are mostly at night. He, of course, darkness is not a hindrance.
Here is a story. This time, I want to believe – with a happy ending.
Travel site through the Pacific Ocean
https://voyageofinspiration.com
Facebook Page –
https://www.facebook.com/Voyage-of-Inspiration-2185655038131156/
333 March 5, 2019 # 8835
Chief Editor
boatdreamers
What do you think?