# 71-year-old Frenchman attempts to float across the Atlantic Ocean in capsule **URL:** \ **Category:** Maritime News\ **Created:** [December 30, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140 "2018-12-30T14:30:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/1 "2018-12-30T14:30:40Z")
no propulsion, no lights that I can see, the worst time of year for weather…this man is obviously planning to die out there! I don’t know whether to pray for him or to laugh out loud at the idiocy of this stunt > **[71-year-old Frenchman attempts to float across the Atlantic Ocean in capsule](https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2018/12/27/71-year-old-man-attempts-float-across-atlantic-ocean-capsule/2425214002/)** > > Jean-Jacques Savin is attempting to navigate the vast Atlantic Ocean in pursuit of the Caribbean using only the wind and current to get him there. what we need here is a separate category for news of the absurd ---
**Author:** ![swamper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@swamper](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/swamper)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/2 "2018-12-30T17:47:02Z")
A new twist on a message in a bottle. ---
**Author:** ![dbeierl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dbeierl/32/11833_2.png) [@dbeierl](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dbeierl)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/3 "2018-12-30T22:37:27Z")
He does have AIS, and he appears to be a daredevil of wide experience – championships in judo twice, surfing seven times, parachuting four times, sailing twice, triathlon nine times; four Atlantic crossings (don’t know in what), climbed Mont Blanc solo etc. Says his work has given him a taste for risk and adventure. Hope he likes sailing downwind. ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:04pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/4 "2018-12-31T14:04:18Z")
can’t say about the overall construction of his vessel but look at this photo and tell me what you notice about the hatch? ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/2X/5/59460edb5301895858c6aa15324d8d500262f7f6.jpeg) if you answer built very flimsy and not watertight you’d be spot on correct ---
**Author:** ![dbeierl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dbeierl/32/11833_2.png) [@dbeierl](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dbeierl)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/5 "2018-12-31T14:12:34Z")
But he’s sponsored by the Garonne Cooperage – they surely wouldn’t send him out with a faulty bung? 🤣 Those hinges sure look flimsy. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/6 "2018-12-31T14:29:10Z")
A contraption not unlike this, but built from steel and with mast and sail, was sailed across the North Atlantic from Aalesund, Norway to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1904: > **[Five Months in a Lifeboat Across the Atlantic](http://archive.li/uOaXD)** > > archived 23 Feb 2014 16:28:04 UTC Seen here on display at Aalesund Museum: ![P1110305](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/2X/1/1601310d2cdd45c6da839a43ce997f43b3c1102d.jpeg) No GPS or any form of communication and with a crew of 4. PS\> The book is also available on Amazon: > **[Uræd. The Egg That Crossed the Atlantic](https://www.amazon.com/Ur%C3%A6d-Egg-That-Crossed-Atlantic/dp/8290151128?tag=gcaptaincom-20)** ---
**Author:** ![jimrr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jimrr/32/38358_2.png) [@jimrr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jimrr)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/7 "2018-12-31T14:56:02Z")
that hatch is going to get ripped off one night, two screws each hinge into fibreglass? do they even have nuts and washers on them? based on the look of the hatch alone he’s a gonner. jeez, 72 yrs. old … you’d think he’d choose a more sedate ‘outing’. first time that thing gets rolled clear over with any speed that hatch will simply pop off. I’d like to know who built it, what their experience is with floating objects!! ---
**Author:** ![jimrr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jimrr/32/38358_2.png) [@jimrr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jimrr)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/8 "2018-12-31T14:57:14Z")
nd that glass dome thing is going to add a tremendous amount of leverage to that weak looking hatch. ---
**Author:** ![dbeierl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dbeierl/32/11833_2.png) [@dbeierl](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dbeierl)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/9 "2018-12-31T14:57:18Z")
Was built by a cooperage… ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/10 "2018-12-31T15:21:10Z")
That capsule will probably ride like a duck with few problems. The hatch in the photo may not impress us, but I’ve seen much worse. Small flimsy old sailboats cross oceans all the time and relatively few are lost. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/11 "2018-12-31T15:41:20Z")
The Atlantic have been crossed in both direction and by many different types of crafts. This is just one more nut case that does it for fun, not because he need to, or have any real mission: > **[List of crossings of the Atlantic Ocean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crossings_of_the_Atlantic_Ocean)** > > This is a list of notable crossings of the Atlantic Ocean. This list is not exhaustive. There have been many more crossings in flimsy contraption, with and without power. Here is one example of a crossing along the same route: > [@](#): > > In 1969 and 1970 [Thor Heyerdahl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_Heyerdahl) launched expeditions to cross the Atlantic in boats built from [papyrus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus). He succeeded in crossing the Atlantic from [Morocco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco) to [Barbados](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbados) after a two-month voyage of 6,100 km with [Ra II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra_II) in 1970, thus conclusively proving that boats such as the Ra could have sailed with the [Canary Current](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_Current)across the Atlantic in prehistoric times. ---
**Author:** ![Binbag\_the\_Saylore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Binbag\_the\_Saylore](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Binbag_the_Saylore)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/12 "2018-12-31T15:50:44Z")
… If he does succeed, it will be interesting to compare his drift “performance” with those who paddled, rowed and sailed other contraptions across. And on that topic… > **[Undaunted – the 42-inch yacht still hoping to become the smallest boat ever to...](https://www.yachtingworld.com/extraordinary-boats/undaunted-the-42-inch-yacht-still-hoping-to-become-the-smallest-boat-ever-to-cross-the-atlantic-107559)** > > On discovering that a 5ft 4in yacht had crossed the Atlantic, a seed was sown in Skipper Matt Kent's mind, which resulted in the custom-designed Undaunted. ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/13 "2018-12-31T15:54:57Z")
But there is something about the shape and surface area of that thing that are really scary. The height and the dead flat ends are just begging for a wave to crush the thing like a paper cup. The toyboat portlights look like they might last a few days and leak in the rain. The hatch is secured by 4 dogs inside so the hinges won’t much matter unless they come loose but it does look pretty lame. All in all it looks like a flameless Viking funeral craft. ---
**Author:** ![anchorman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bbce88/32.png) [@anchorman](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/anchorman)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/14 "2018-12-31T19:46:06Z")
Dont know about that. There is a knife edge combing, hatch w/ double hinges, and dogs. Not too different that the typical class approved lifeboat. Not that I would say this stunt is any smarter. At least he’ll get to see the ship’s hull that runs his ass over. [https://goo.gl/images/uDHYSY](https://goo.gl/images/uDHYSY) ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2019, 11:00am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/15 "2019-01-02T11:00:49Z")
More interesting reading: > **[Frenchman “Barrels” Across the Atlantic](https://maritime-executive.com/article/frenchman-barrels-across-the-atlantic)** > > The 71-year-old French adventurer Jean-Jacques Savin is sailing across the Atlantic in a three-meter... ---
**Author:** ![Tellarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@Tellarian](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Tellarian)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/16 "2019-01-02T14:31:07Z")
Could run into anything: > **[Cruise ship CARNIVAL DREAM lost lifeboat while under way](https://maritimebulletin.net/2018/12/31/cruise-ship-carnival-dream-lost-lifeboat-while-under-way/)** > > Cruise ship CARNIVAL DREAM lost a lifeboat which broke off davits and fell into water while the ship was under way in Gulf of Mexico on Dec 30. Accident didn’t affect ship’s itinerary. Lifeboat was… ---
**Author:** ![c.captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/c.captain/32/807_2.png) [@c.captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/c.captain)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 2:14am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/17 "2019-01-04T02:14:57Z")
well a little more a week into his odyssey…our wayward mariner is gradually making his way towards the arctic ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/2X/9/9fa23c6ce4ebdef62867b148523cb6eb41475238.png) ---
**Author:** ![DeepSeaDiver](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/deepseadiver/32/21_2.png) [@DeepSeaDiver](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DeepSeaDiver)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 2:56am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/18 "2019-01-04T02:56:34Z")
- directly towards Iceland. - A thriller ![](https://cdck-file-uploads-us1.s3.dualstack.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/2X/7/72ca8bc197a361ad8d58938364c769b7c26adb07.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Snusmumriken](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/snusmumriken/32/856_2.png) [@Snusmumriken](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Snusmumriken)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/19 "2019-01-05T18:12:41Z")
> [@DeepSeaDiver](#): > > A thriller You should have traded places ---
**Author:** ![ShooterMcGavin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/shootermcgavin/32/1756_2.png) [@ShooterMcGavin](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ShooterMcGavin)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140/20 "2019-01-05T21:21:13Z")
Shit, I did that across the Atlantic once, on a pile of junk called the Maersk Ohio… [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/71-year-old-frenchman-attempts-to-float-across-the-atlantic-ocean-in-capsule/50140.md?page=2)