After facing the cruel, chilly waters and threat of knocking into dangerous icebergs, the 84-year-old hero has finally succeeded in completing his adventurous voyage. Anthony Smith, a pensioner from London who set out to attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a raft made of pipes in the end of January has created history by completing the 4,500km (2,800-mile) journey from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean last week. The special vessel that helped Mr.Smith achieve his goal is the An-Tiki. This sail-powered vessel is built from 12-metre lengths of water and gas pipes. It comes equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communications that are powered by solar panels.
The former BBC Tomorrow’s World presenter and science correspondent was joined on the expedition by a three-man crew of ‘mature and intrepid gentlemen’, aged from 56 to 61. This voyage was undertaken with an aim to raise £50,000 for the international charity WaterAid and also to highlight the fact that nearly a billion people worldwide live without clean water. The vessel travelled at an average speed of four knots, with the crew taking turns to keep watch. After 66 long days at the sea, the eco-warriors finally made it to Caribbean island of St Maarten.
Via: Metro