Sailor Returns Home to New York After Three Year Voyage

Reid Stowe set sail from New Jersey in his two-masted sailing boat in April 2007, and has returned home after 1,152 days at sea.

That is more than three years without touching land, which if verified will be a new world record.

Mr Stowe, who is 58, was greeted by his girlfriend and son, aged 23 months, when he docked in Manhattan.

Originally he had set sail with his girlfriend, but she had to return home after finding that she was pregnant. Even though it meant missing the birth of their son, Stowe continued with his journey, which has taken him around the world.

The 70 foot sailing boat, named "Anne" after Mr. Stowe's mother, was built by him and his family 30 years ago.

The voyage was one of love, said Mr. Stowe, and that the ship had done what no other in the world has done before.

The editor of "Sail" magazine, Charles Doane, said that he believes that this is a new sailing record. The data from the GPS satellite system on board the ship should prove that the boat had not touched land during that time.

Mr Stowe told reporters that his days at sea consisted of repairing torn sails, painting, practicing yoga and also writing a book.

Apparently there is still enough food on the boat for another year at sea, which makes you wonder what he was living on during that time, and how the food was kept from going off.

The sailor Sir Robin Knox Johnston, who was the first person to sail single handed non-stop around the world in 1968-69, had terrible troubles keeping food, since labels peeled off cans, and cans also went rusty during his voyage, and that was only a 10 month trip.

The ability to collect water must also be taken into account, since you either treat sea water, or collect adequate rainwater to keep you provisioned during a trip.

It makes you wonder what the attraction is, sailing around the world without touching land. If it is to achieve a speed record, this is understandable, but to live off meager rations and to be completely alone for so long, without setting foot on terra firma, is a strange desire.

It will be interesting to see what Mr Stowe has to say in interviews as time goes on.

Sources:

BBC News