After a month at sea, Keith Whelan of Ireland has had to end his attempt to row solo—and naked—across the Indian Ocean. A large wave hit Whelan’s boat Monday and he suffered a head injury when he was thrown across the cabin of the vessel.
Whelan was making the journey in part to try to raise money for Keep a Child Alive, an organization dedicated to providing anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
The Naked Adventurer, as Whelan calls himself on his website, had said the decision to row naked was made for practical considerations. “As the Ocean is a very salty environment, clothing tends to become encrusted with salt,” he wrote. “I will have no means of cleaning this from any clothing at sea, so wearing this clothing when full of salt would lead to severe salt sores on my body which is why I will be naked for most of the journey.”
On his blog today: “Keith’s rowing boat is also on board the Fujisuka, the Japanese cargo boat which rescued him. The boat has sustained some damage, the extent of which has yet to be determined. Keith has received some medical treatment on board the vessel and is doing well.”
Presumably, he’s also put some clothes on.
Whelan was making the journey in part to try to raise money for Keep a Child Alive, an organization dedicated to providing anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
The Naked Adventurer, as Whelan calls himself on his website, had said the decision to row naked was made for practical considerations. “As the Ocean is a very salty environment, clothing tends to become encrusted with salt,” he wrote. “I will have no means of cleaning this from any clothing at sea, so wearing this clothing when full of salt would lead to severe salt sores on my body which is why I will be naked for most of the journey.”
On his blog today: “Keith’s rowing boat is also on board the Fujisuka, the Japanese cargo boat which rescued him. The boat has sustained some damage, the extent of which has yet to be determined. Keith has received some medical treatment on board the vessel and is doing well.”
Presumably, he’s also put some clothes on.
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