US woman attempting to row across Pacific rescued

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

TOKYO (AP) — A U.S. woman attempting to cross the Pacific by rowboat has ended her solo attempt because of expected bad weather.

Sonya Baumstein was rescued off the Japanese coast on Saturday after sending out a distress signal, Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Baumstein departed from Choshi, Japan, one week ago, hoping to become the first woman to row solo across the Pacific.

She was headed for San Francisco but sent out the signal on Saturday around 2:20 p.m. about 250 kilometers (155 miles) off the coast of Japan.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this June 7, 2015, photo, American rower Sonya Baumstein rows a boat as she leaves Choshi Marina in Choshi, Japan, headed for San Francisco. Baumstein was rescued off the Japanese coast on Saturday, June 13, 2015, after sending out a distress signal, Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday. The 30-year-old Baumstein was hoping to become the first woman to row solo across the Pacific.(AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/abe1fe59792249b3b13ae0753f261c81/us-woman-attempting-row-across-pacific-rescued

[marym625]

1. Glad to hear she was rescued

I have to wonder how she thought she would make it across the Pacific if she expected bad weather

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. Not clear why she needed rescue

That boat looks like it could take any sort of weather.

If I try a journey like this, please rescue me before the launch.



Anyway, nice of them to pull her out of whatever predicament she was in.

[sofa king]

3. The boat might take it, but I couldn't.

I'd feel like the last peanut in the can, getting shaken, and i'd probably begin to fear drowning in my own violently expelled bodily fluids.

[Jean Genie]

4. Don't give up!

Read "A Pearl in the Storm" by Tori Murden McClure. She did it across the Atlantic in a "rowboat." Marvelous, nail-bitingly exciting story of a very brave woman and what she endured on her journey. She had many setbacks, but she persevered. Brave woman! I hope Sonya Baumstein will not give up, either, but will regroup, rethink, and get it done! You go, girl!

[OneCrazyDiamond]

5. 155 miles in a week.

That is awesome. I hope she gets back out there and succeeds.

[Cal33]

7. There is a warm stream, similar to the Gulf Stream, going from the Asian Coast across the

Pacific to North America. We don't know what percentage of the 155 miles was carried by
this stream. The Pacific is roughly twice as wide as the Atlantic. It's foolhardy to even
bother trying.

[Brother Buzz]

8. Tell that to Peter Bird

Oh yea, he died trying. He got tagged by a ship on his fifth attempt. But to his credit, he did row across the Pacific from San Francisco to Australia and it only took two attempts. He drifted with the currents and prevailing winds and dreamed 95% of the time. He was a great dreamer.

[bravenak]

6. She got pretty far!

[brooklynite]

9. What part of "expected" bad weather was unexpected?

[joshcryer]

10. Shame, I always root for these solo adventurers.

Even if some consider it foolhardy.

I'm reminded of Maidentrip, a documentary about Laura Dekkerm. She did 95% of it on her own but did meet other sailors and they became her other family.