Press Release from David Clark
I worked as a line handler on his trip through the Panama Canal
David's webpage is: http://www.dclark.com
You can sign up on the site to automatically receive the updates that are
posted. Questions can be asked and
answered by mailto:gabgirlATpacbell.net
My story on him: by a hobo Andy
http://www.geocities.com/captainclark_2000
David B. Clark completed his first circumnavigation of the
world on May 17, 1991, after 3-1/2 years of adventuring and playing his clarinet
in every port he dropped the anchor. In January, 1993, he decided he would
circumnavigate again; however since his wife could not accompany him, he would
set a world record as "the oldest person to circumnavigate the world solo."
While making this voyage he was writing articles for USA TODAY to a "Dear
Reader" column. In 1994, he was flown from Australia to Nashville, TN, where he
was presented the "Free Spirit" award by the Freedom Forum, a prestigious honor.
In 1995, after continuing on from Australia his yacht "Sea Me Now" was dismasted
by a storm and lost in the Indian Ocean; although David was rescued by a
livestock ship carrying 40,000 sheep on its way to Freemantle, Jordan.
David found "Mollie Milar" as a rusted hull with no
rigging, no sails, no equipment (just a bunch of old beer cans and loose wires).
He bought her thinking he would fix her up to live in (financed by his social
security check and what he earned playing his clarinet) but early in 1998,
feeling restless again, decided he would make a second attempt for the world
record of "oldest person to circumnavigate the world solo." He gathered about
125 sponsors and many supporters and in September, 1998, he set sail from
California to Florida via the Panama Canal on the maiden voyage. Arriving Ft.
Lauderdale mid-April 1999, there were many changes and repairs to be made to the
"Mollie Milar." It was not until December 5, 1999 that this goal would
actually be started.
After leaving Ft. Lauderdale, FL on 12/5/00 he
stopped at the following ports:
1. Nassau, Bahamas
2. Colon, Panama
3. Panama City, Panama
4. Academy Bay, Galapagoes
5. Papeete, Tahiti
6. Pago Pago, American Samoa
7. Papua, New Guinea
8. Gove, Australia
9. Darwin, Australia
10. Port Louis, Mauritius
11. Durban, South Africa
12. East London
13. Port Elizabeth
David is waiting for weather clearance to leave Port
Elizabeth and will then proceed on to Cape Town (with a stop at Mussel Bay if
the weather dictates). The planned itinerary (which is subject to change)
follows:
1. Cape Town
2. Saint Helena
3. Forteleza, Brazil
4. Barbadoes
5. Great Ignua (Bahamas)
6. Nassau (Bahamas)
7. Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Before leaving California David had impressive TV coverage
by CNN, Ch. 5, and FOX ; and at many of the ports which he has visited there has
been TV coverage, as well as radio interviews and newspaper articles. "Latitude
38" published David’s story and has done several follow-up articles. In Ft.
Lauderdale, the Sun Sentinel has been following David’s progress. AARP published
an article in the AARP Bulletin. We are in touch with the Guinness Book of
Records in regard to recording this in their book. The Joshua Slocum Society
Int’l is in the process of setting up guidelines for these records and after
they are established the application can be submitted. David is documenting his
record by having the authorities in every port sign an affidavit stating that he
entered and left alone.
David’s philosophy is that we can all make our dreams come
true if we are willing to do whatever it takes. He hopes to bring a message to
our society that older citizens have value, and that just because we get older
"we ain’t dead yet."
