Life

Rower halfway through trans-Atlantic row bid in honor of brother who died of AIDS

Rower halfway through trans-Atlantic row bid in honor of brother who died of AIDS
Victor Mooney rows the Spirit of Malabo in the Atlantic Ocean. Mooney who hopes to cross the Atlantic Ocean in honor of his brother who died of AIDS in 1983, passed the halfway mark, Sunday, May 11, 2014. He has tried the same feat three other times, without success.
Victor Mooney rows the Spirit of Malabo in the Atlantic Ocean. Mooney who hopes to cross the Atlantic Ocean in honor of his brother who died of AIDS in 1983, passed the halfway mark, Sunday, May 11, 2014. He has tried the same feat three other times, without success.
G.C. Media, AP

NEW YORK — An American rower hoping to cross the Atlantic Ocean in honor of his brother who died of AIDS has passed the halfway mark.

A spokeswoman for 48-year-old Victor Mooney said early Sunday the specially built oceangoing rowboat had done more than half the 3,000-mile journey from the African coast to the British Virgin Islands.

Mooney set off Feb. 19 in a 24-foot boat from Maspolamas, Gran Canaria. His journey is being done in honor of a brother who died of AIDS in 1983, and another who is living with HIV. Mooney is hoping to encourage voluntary HIV testing.

Mooney has tried the same feat three other times, without success. He hopes to resupply in the British Virgin Islands then row back to New York.

Successful crossings happen annually, according to statistics kept by The Ocean Rowing Society.

© 2014, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Clerk in Faulkner County, Ark., says no marriage licenses for same-sex couples

Previous article

In St. Louis, Michael Sam finds comfortable landing spot to pursue an NFL career

Next article