70-Year-Old Norwegian Attempting to Row Across Ocean Departs from NY

NEW YORK (AP) —
Stein Hoff rows past the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Stein Hoff rows past the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

A 70-year-old Norwegian man has embarked on the biggest adventure of his life — an attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean.

Stein Hoff pushed off Sunday from a Manhattan pier, headed for England. He hopes to get there in about three months.

Hoff brought along all the supplies he needs, with no chase boats or other assistance. His 24-foot rowboat has GPS, a satellite phone and a VHF radio.

Hoff is recreating the 1896 journey of two Norwegian-Americans — George Harbo and Gabriel Samuelsen — the first people to row across an ocean. Robert Ripley wrote about them in his first “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”

Hoff’s feat is sponsored by Ripley’s, an entertainment franchise that will chronicle the trip with images on its blog and social media.

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