According to the Japan Blind Sailing Association, Mitsuhiro Iwamoto of Japan became the first sightless person ever to successfully sail across the Pacific Ocean non-stop. In successfully completing this momentous feat, he was accompanied by a sighted navigator, Doug Smith from the United States of America. Smith offered Iwamoto verbal guidance by giving him information on wind directions and any possible hazards.
The 52-year old Iwamoto started his journey from San Diego in California, the United States of America on 24th February in his 40 feet yacht called Dream Weaver. He sailed a whopping 8,700 miles before stopping at Fukushima in Japan.
“I didn’t give up and I made a dream come true. I’m the happiest person on earth,” Iwamoto said after successfully finishing his journey that took a total of 2 months.
Iwamoto was lucky in his second attempt to cross the Pacific. His first attempt at achieving this feat was in 2013. Unfortunately, it was cut short just six days into the journey after his boat struck a whale and subsequently sank.
Since then, he participated in a host of triathlon races to understand more details about swimming in the open waters.
Iwamoto lost his eyesight when he was just 16. He is a Japanese citizen who resides in San Diego, United States of America. Apart from just personal accomplishment, Iwamoto undertook this voyage to raise donations for his endeavours to prevent diseases that cause blindness.
Read more about his journey on his website, aptly called Voyage of Inspiration.
And yes, absolutely inspirational his voyage certainly is! What do you think? Do let us know your views!
An incredible feat indeed!