Explorer Phil Barker. (Image source: Xinhua/Reuters)
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 21 (Reporter Chen Dan) In the past, there was a legend of Dharma's ancestor "crossing the river with a reed", and now there is the adventure of the American uncle "crossing the ocean with a reed". The Associated Press reported on the 20th that Phil Barker, a 51-year-old American explorer, plans to drive a "straw boat" made of reeds by the indigenous people of Bolivia and set off in February next year to cross the Pacific Ocean.
The reed boat "Bilacocha 3" will enter the sea from northern Chile to start this "retro" trans-ocean journey, which is expected to arrive in Australia in 6 months. The three-masted sailboat, which is about 18 meters long, is being built in La Paz, bolivia's capital, and is nearing completion. It was woven by the Aymara people of Lake Titicaca, the largest freshwater lake in South America, using ancient methods and consuming tons of dried Tortola reeds.
Reed ship "Birakocha 3". (Image source: Xinhua/Midland)
In order to prove the navigation ability of the ancestors, the life of the crew will also follow the ancients, such as the use of bamboo containers to hold water, eating quinoa, potatoes and fish. However, by law, crew members must carry global positioning satellites and navigation systems. During the voyage, they will update the daily situation through social media.
60 days after its departure, the Biracocha 3 will make its first stop in the Polynesian Islands of Manareva, before heading to Tahiti and finally reaching the eastern Australian city of Sydney, a journey of about 10,000 nautical miles.
Buck had two transoceanic voyages. In 2000, he successfully sailed 3,500 nautical miles from the Chilean port city of Arica to Easter Island. During the 2003 voyage, Buck set the finish line in Australia, and the challenge ended in failure due to damage to the ship in the middle. (End)