Stated Goals of Mission vs. Reality

1000 Days at Sea has outlined specific goals for the voyage. These goals appear in 1000 Days literature that was used prior to the voyage to solicit donations and secure sponsors. These appear to be official goals at the time of this posting. The brochure containing these goals can be found at the official website 1000 Days at Sea under the Press heading.

Is the voyage delivering on its promises to its sponsors and donors? Below are the stated goals of the voyage with analysis of how the goals have/have not been met and/or whether they can be met. Contradictory comments are welcome and, if based on common sense, changes will be made to the main post.

Goals

1. To obtain valuable information on the physical and mental stress which must be overcome during such an extended voyage. The solitude that will be a major part of this journey will give insight into man's tolerance during an extended isolation from land.

Do they have a baseline physical and mental examination before they left. Are they collecting data. Do they even have a scale? Isolation? What Isolation? They are in constant contact with their "mission control" and have regularly asked for intellectual support regarding challenges they encounter. Finally, with Soanya’s rescue – they had outside assistance and were ½ mile from land.

2. To evaluate the effectiveness of various psychological support techniques when applied under actual field conditions and examine ways to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

Following scientific methods and principles? Is there an outside evaluation on how they resolved interpersonal conflicts? Whatever is reported here is completely biased and useless to science.

3. Critical information will be developed not just for survival but for sustainable human existence. This would include food, clothing, boating equipment, communication and a host of other items that while seeming insignificant during normal life on land, may assume critical importance under the stress experienced by isolation.

These are considerations necessary for any trip at sea. There is no correlation whatever between survival of the Anne at sea and survival in space. The items that Reid itemizes are critical for weekend sailors as well as long term sea voyages. The Anne may have required a larger volume of supplies, but there is no difference between the voyage of the Anne and any other well planned trip.

4. We can increase our knowledge of the southern oceans through daily recordings of water, air temperatures, wind speeds, water and atmospheric pollution and ozone depletion. Through these records we will gain insight into our ultimate dependence on our environment.

They haven’t got the equipment or even the basic knowledge to study anything scientific. Soanya, on day 199 blog entry - "I'm surprised at how cool the water temperature is despite the fact that the sun warms the air right up. We don't have a way to measure water temperature, but our clock has a temperature reading on it for the air.” Reid, on day 279 asks in his blog post for some information on the ozone he’s supposed to be studying - "I wonder if the hole in the ozone layer is down here and you have to avoid the lovely sun. I have been carrying on with the sun chastising it for not coming out and shining enough, but once I got burned, I wondered if we had to hide from it? Who knows about the ozone hole?" Without the proper equipment, and without even a basic knowledge of what their goals state they will be studying, this goal was unattainable the moment they left the dock.

5. Education components are planned to instruct those who follow the voyage. Subjects to be studied are: marine and atmospheric sciences, satellite communication, celestial navigation, computer technology, sail boat repair and maintenance, nutrition, gardening, health, physical education, geography, oceanography, math, world history, languages, psychology as well as a host of other topics.

Interactive education components are nonexistent, and it is debatable whether any of the information they've sent back could be considered educational.
Marine and Atmospheric Sciences - Nothing.
Satellite Communication - They are using the technology, but that is not equal to educating others.
Celestial Navigation - No reports of celestial navigation even occurring.
Computer Technology - Simply using a computer has no educational value.
Nutrition - Points here for providing information about their diet and the importance of balance as well as how they maintain that balance.
Gardening - Points here for describing how they grow sprouts.
Health - They appear to be healthy, but where's the educational component?
Physical Education - No reports regarding physical regimens, etc that might be considered educational.
Geography - Points here if you follow the voyage on Google Earth and take the time to do additional research on where they are/have been.
Oceanography - Non existent They couldn't even identify an albatross or species of whales.
Math - Nothing.
World History - Only if you count the few references to ancient mariners' use of carvings on boats.
Languages - Does Reid speak anything other than English?
Psychology - Self analysis is worthless.



6. To inspire others to voyage beyond human expectations.

It is hoped that they inspire no one to voyage out in such a haphazard, unprepared manner endangering not only their own lives but those of rescuers who may be called on as well. Soanya left the boat because of a sea sickness that she’d never had before because she had only day sailed in NY harbor. For Reid to take her on a planned 1000 day voyage through the most dangerous waters on the planet was completely irresponsible. If he encourages others to partake in dangerous and foolhardy ventures he has attained this goal.

7. To promote a global message of hope, peace, perseverance, achievement and excellence.

Hope? For what? Peace? How? Perseverance? Look at Soanya. Achievement? His attempts at records are feeble. As Jon Sanders, current holder of the record for time spent at sea said in an interview after he picked Soanya up in Australia – he “won’t break any records”. Excellence? There is nothing in this journey that is reflective of excellence. The only thing he’s promoting is Reid Stowe


Contrary opinions based on logic and reason are strongly encouraged!