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SOANYA LEAVES THE VOYAGE
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New York February 22 2008: 1,000 Days Non-Stop at Sea: The Mars Ocean
Odyssey
www.1000days.net
Reid Stowe and Soanya Ahmad are sailing the “1000 Days at Sea: The
Mars Ocean Odyssey” a contemplated 1000-day voyage which commenced on
April 21, 2007 from Pier 12, Hoboken, New Jersey. As far as we know
Reid and Soanya have broken two records at sea. 1. Longest man and
woman sea voyage 2. Longest consecutive time at sea for a woman. As
of this press day 2/22/08 the couple will have been out at sea for 306
days. However, due to Soanya's seasickness over the last few months,
brought on by their entry into the southern ocean, Soanya and Reid
have agreed that it would be best for her health for her to leave the
boat. Soanya has been picked up at sea, off the coast of Freemantle
and Reid will continue with the 1000 days voyage alone.
Reid Stowe is an American artist and sailor. He is the principal
designer and builder of the Anne, a 70 ft. (21.3 m.), 60 ton (54,400
kg) gaff-rigged schooner upon which Stowe has lived for 20 years.
Stowe has previously sailed the Anne to Antarctica (with a crew of
eight) and sailed several extended out-of-sight of land voyages, the
longest of which was six months in duration.
Soanya Ahmad embarked on this voyage as a sailing novice with no
offshore experience. She is Stowe’s first mate for the first 300 days
handling photography, computers and communication, as well as
overseeing food supplies and preparing meals. Since entering the
Roaring 40s in late November, Soanya has suffered from recurring and
disabling seasickness, resulting in a loss of appetite, weight loss,
and apathy. In calmer weather, she is able to eat and actively
contribute to shipboard activities. While her current condition is
not life threatening, sea conditions continue to compromise Soanya’s
well-being. Reid and Soanya have agreed that she would transfer off
the boat at the earliest opportunity in order to preserve her overall
health.
The Royal Perth Yacht Club is providing assistance with an at-sea
transfer. Reid can maintain his original aims of the voyage, continue
the journey, and finish out his 20-year dream to live at sea for 1000
days. The “1000 Days at Sea: The Mars Ocean Odyssey” voyage has the
aim of remaining in the open ocean, out-of-sight of land, with no
re-provision or resupply for a period of 1000 days, emulating in some
respects a voyage to Mars which takes 1000 days for a round trip.
The onshore staff of 1000 Days thanks the Royal Perth Yacht Club for
their help in this situation. Stuart Walton, the general manager of
the club, immediately offered assistance at sea. The sort of help he
would hope would be offered to his member Jon Sanders, the current
record holder of the longest solo sailing voyage. The club displays
the very best tradition of assisting sailors. We very much welcome
their help picking up Soanya at sea.
Reid Stowe has broken or plans to set the following records:
Longest man and woman sea voyage
Longest consecutive time at sea for a woman
Longest time out of sight of land
Longest non-stop American sea voyage.
Longest space analogous experiment on the ocean
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1000 DAYS OCEAN ODYSSEY MARKS FIRST 300 DAYS AT SEA
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Reid Stowe and Soanya Ahmad on the Schooner Anne achieved the 300 days
at sea milestone. They haven't resupplied or even seen land since
leaving New York Harbor on April 21st. There are 700 days remaining
to the goal of 1000 Days Non-Stop at Sea which is the objective of
this expedition. The record for the longest time non-stop at sea now
stands at 657 days held by Jon Sanders.
Totally self sufficient, they are living and working every day aboard
the 70 foot schooner that Reid build 28 years ago. Daily log entries
and photos from the expedition are available on the web site
www.1000days.net where the story unfolds as a living adventure in
nature as it is happening. The satellite tracking system from Metocean
shows their location. Follow the link on our web site.
Purchase the 300 days commemorative T-shirt and mug at the Web Shop
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FAN MAIL WORLDWIDE
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Recent comments from our sister blog we've received from
1000daysatsea.blogspot.com
You are my hero! I've loved following you on this journey but lately
have really worried about you because of the seasickness. I too suffer
from seasickness. One particularely bad spell was off the coast of
Barre de Navidad in Mexico. I really wanted to die. I've rarely gone
on a boat since. In other words...I so understand your decision.
You've been wonderfully brave and have added such a great element to
this adventure! I'm glad you are taking care of YOU now. Be well and
healthy. K in AK
How totally relieved I am that you, dear Soanya, are heading back to
land and to NYC via air rather than another ship! God bless your
courageous spirit! You are a model! You will always be "Soanya of the
Seven Seas" to me. And, now, I am focused on our dear Reid! May his
brave spirit persevere! I have followed the good ship the schooner
Anne from day one as she sails onward and in time safely back to her
home port after a fully successful Mars 1000 Day Odyssey. May Mary,
Star of the Sea, protect him all the way. Tony
"Maybe that's why I admire these people who have crazy dreams & go out
& try to make them actually HAPPEN so much. Because they always face
that risk of failure - but they don't let it freeze them in their safe
& secure tracks." You had some incredible guts to even try - and I was
impressed at how long it was that you were still seeing beauty where I
personally can only imagine being sick of only seeing the same boat
and the same person day after day after day. I think following how you
were doing was my favorite thing. You did great. And what a story
you'll have to tell for the rest of your life! Bonnie
God Bless you Soanya. You were a brave soul and you made the right
decision. We've enjoyed your perspective on the journey and hope to
hear more from you once you get back to NYC. AprilB
Happy Valentine's Day to Reid and Soanya! mamabearnyc
Reports of things breaking, main water tanks empty and references to
needing to remind themselves to be "loving"...sounds like things are
not going as well as they had previously. at what point do the empty
water tanks become a crisis?? i also would like to hear more specifics
about how there relationship is holding up after months of virtually
total isolation. as for the nausea...could she be pregnant??
i'm not trying to sound pesimistic, i'm just very concerned. i would
love to hear more detailed reports than what we have been getting. are
they still catching fish occassionally? how do they pass the time and
what do they do to keep their spirits up during this period of endless
grey days?
as always, we wish for them a smooth, safe journey. Brad
I have been following the daily journals from Day 1. I never knew
there was a blog, but I think it's great. Reid and Soanye are truly an
inspiration for their courage, mental and physical strength and loving
natures. Best of luck in your future! mamabearnyc
We've followed this blog since the beginning of their journey & have
seen enough of the ups & downs to understand what a difficult task it
is to manage it. we appreciate all that you do including once again
allowing comments. we believe it's a wonderfully generous thing for
R&S to allow us to follow along on their adventure. we enjoy the more
detailed postings -- technical info, their daily routine, meals &
especially observations on their relationship given the isolation of
this experience. lately, the posts have much less detail/information.
have the demands of the southern ocean drastically changed their daily
routine? more information would be appreciated! we wish R&S only
smooth sailing & many more beautiful moonlit nights! K in Oh
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EXPANDED WEBSHOP
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We have expanded our webshop with more images and products you can buy
to help support 1000 Days Non-stop at sea.Web Shop **********************************************************************
THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT!
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We would like to thank all the people who have stepped up & so
graciously donated via our web site. Your financial consideration
helps make it possible to keep the lines of communication open between
the Schooner Anne and the world. As she sails around our beautiful
planet, you are helping to bring her inspiring story to people
everywhere! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPORT!
Seaman $20-49; Lieutenant $50-99; Captain $100-499; Admiral $500-1000
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Thanks for your emails of support. Keep following the voyage with us.
The 1000days At Sea shore staff.
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