Dom Mee

September 16, 2005 12:29 AM

Dom Mee, a former Royal Marine commando, is attempting to cross the Atlantic solo and unsupported in a 14-foot boat pulled by a kite. Blogging from 300 miles off the Canadian coast, he reports hurricane force winds and mountainous seas are making the trip “a tad bumpy”. And there’s sharks. The kite-surfing is awesome, though.
posted by MinPin (11 comments total)

I find interesting the difference between his site and that of the first woman to cross the Atlantic. Tori Murden's site takes me back to the wonderfully chaotic days of 1999.
posted by ?! at 12:36 AM on September 16, 2005

Reminded me of Ed Gillette's solo kayak trip from California to Hawaii.
posted by Tenuki at 12:57 AM on September 16, 2005

This dude is so badass, he doesn't even need commas.
posted by borkingchikapa at 1:33 AM on September 16, 2005

Why doesn't this have a "batshit insane" tag?
Good on him if he makes it. Hang on in there Dom. The weather in North Atlantic is little iffy at the moment.
posted by adamvasco at 1:38 AM on September 16, 2005

I have read that he started in St. John's to prepare for the tedium of being stuck alone in a little boat in the middle of the ocean.

But what I'm wondering: if the boat cannot be sunk and cannot be lost and is in constant contact with potential rescue teams, is it really that big a deal? I'm not saying I would want to be out in the middle of the Atlantic alone in a little boat, but, still, it's not exactly like being alone in a row boat with a sextant and an almanac.
posted by pracowity at 2:07 AM on September 16, 2005

disaster struck in the form of a fishing trawler with no human presence on the bridge. This time far removed from the battlefield, Dom and Tim once again prayed for their lives as the fishing boat rammed into their vessel tearing it in two

they should've rowed a bit faster!
posted by ajbattrick at 2:15 AM on September 16, 2005

I'm trying to think of a pun about Dom using a sub to do it.
posted by scratch at 6:19 AM on September 16, 2005

Pretty cool. It bums me out a bit that these things now seem to require full media blitzes in order to accomplish them. I know it's expensive and all, but I wonder if this guy would be doing this without the sponors and the Media Centre on his website and the publicity. Compare this to Dave Horton's attempt on the PCT record. Horton has done tons of batshit insane stuff, but he does it 'cause he loves to run. He is sponsored, but there's no question he'd be doing it anyway. (I could be biased since I'm also an ultrarunner.)
posted by OmieWise at 7:36 AM on September 16, 2005

I'm with pracowity. You're not alone if you have email and satellite Phone and guaranteed security/rescue. While I think his "adventure" is interesting, particularly the kite aspect, it does seem a bit contrived and "media-friendly" and well, almost Disneyfied or Mark Burnettified.
posted by shoepal at 8:13 AM on September 16, 2005

I can only say: I am such a wuss.

Cool. Great post.
posted by tkchrist at 8:51 AM on September 16, 2005

In looking for more info about kite sailing, i found Kiteship.com.

They made the kite that Don Mee is using to cross the atlantic.
Their site includes pictures, and video of kite sailing.
posted by Merik at 3:17 PM on September 16, 2005