Brothers Complete Daring Trans-Atlantic Voyage in Tiny Open Fishing Boat Without a Cabin or Keel
Boaters Encounter Sharks, Giant Waves, Gale Force Winds, and Icebergs on World Record-Breaking 76-day Journey to Raise Funds for Fallen Hero Foundations
September 16, 2009 – Two Florida brothers, Ralph and Robert Brown, have successfully completed their heroic journey across the Atlantic in their humble flats boat. The 8,300 mile trip, called the I am Second Wounded Hero Voyage Crossing the Atlantic presented by Interstate Batteries, began June 27 and included more than 20 stops along the Northern Atlantic coasts from Tampa, Fla. up through Canada, Greenland and Iceland on their way to Frankfurt, Germany. As the brothers reflect on their mission to raise funds and awareness for wounded hero charities, supporters are called to remember fallen and wounded heroes by joining their team.
Despite dangerously high waves, powerful winds, sharp icebergs, fuel shortages and sharks, the brothers were able to break three world records during their voyage. The 21-foot flats boat, the Intruder 21, is the smallest powerboat to cross the Atlantic and holds the record for the longest ocean voyage in a flats boat and the first flats boat to cross the Atlantic.
“This trip hasn’t been easy, but with support of our family, friends and people we’ve met along the way, we’ve been able to accomplish this monumental voyage,” said Ralph Brown. “When I Am Second and Interstate Batteries came onboard as sponsors we knew our dream would evolve into a reality.”
In completion of their trip, the brothers were given a dignitaries tour of the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), the largest American hospital outside of the continental United States and the only American tertiary hospital in Europe. The opportunity to meet men and women who inspired the voyage was a great reward for the Browns after their challenging journey.
To fulfill a 29-year promise, U.S. Marine veteran Ralph Brown began this voyage in June 2009 in remembrance of three fallen comrades (Sgt. John D. Harvey, Cpl. George N. Holmes Jr. and Staff Sgt. Dewey L. Johnson) who died in his place on a 1980 mission to rescue the embassy hostages in Iran. To pay tribute, the brothers decided to raise money for multiple fallen hero organizations. Their journey through rough waters and turbulent storms, refusing rescue, inspired national and international support and the brothers hope their story will encourage others to join their cause.
Working toward a goal to raise $3 million, the brothers seek to add 150,000 team members to their team in support of the USO, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Regiment, Wounded Warriors In Action, Military Ministry, Help for Heroes (Britain) and a Canadian organization to be determined. For a $30 donation, supporters will become honorary “team members” and receive a “Do More Than Just Say Thanks” t-shirt. Additional sponsors may help cover accrued voyage expenses and join title sponsors I am Second and Interstate Batteries and others sponsors like The Icelandic Seafood Group, Benco Insurance Planners, Suzuki Motor Corporation and many other individuals and groups.
Update: August 28th
American pair arrive in Scalloway to earn place in Guinness Book of Records.
History was made in Scalloway Harbour this week as American adventurers Ralph and Bob Brown set foot on British soil after crossing the Atlantic in the smallest ever powerboat to make the crossing, finding them a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Read the full article here -->
 “ is everyone’s first reaction when I tell them I’m going to cross the Atlantic in a flats boat,” laughs Ralph Brown. But it’s no joke. Brown, 50, and his brother Robert, 52, are tackling the high seas in a 21-foot flats boat for a 6,200-mile, 48-day voyage for charity. And Interstate Batteries is supporting them all the way.
The I Am Second Wounded Hero Voyage Cross the Atlantic sponsored by Interstate Batteries, sounded like an outrageous idea at first. But when Chairman Norm Miller heard Ralph’s story, he supported the journey 100%. It’s all for a good cause, and the excitement is building.
Ralph and Robert Brown are attempting to set another world record for the longest nonstop ocean voyage in a flats boat. They set the original record in 2007 when they cruised 1,547 miles from North Carolina to Bermuda to New York. On June 27, they’re expected to top that by a few thousand more miles when they depart from Tampa, Fla. From there the plan is to navigate the 21- foot Intruder up the east coast, then set out for Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, England, France, and end their 48-day odyssey at the U.S. military hospital in Frankfurt, Germany.
Flats boats are typically used in protected, shallow waters and float in seven to eight inches. Brown’s creation, the Intruder-21, was designed to float in less water, one inch to be exact, and according to Brown it is unsinkable because the hull is filled with flotation. Capsizing, however, is another matter. But Brown’s got that covered, too. The skiff has a buoyant roof so it won’t flip upside down, it will just lie on its side. And that’s a good thing, because when you’re traveling across the deep blue sea in a 21-foot boat, capsizing in 10-plus-foot swells is a real possibility, and a real threat. But the brothers aren’t concerned about the danger. For them, real danger is found on the front lines of the battlefield.
As a former Marine, Ralph Brown doesn’t let a little salt water stand in the way of realizing his dream of raising $3 million for wounded and fallen hero foundations in the U.S., Britain and Canada. Soldiers and their families are close to his heart after three of his comrades died during the liberation of the American Embassy in Iran in 1980. Mr. Brown and his brother made a pledge to honor the lives of these soldiers and all the men and women in uniform by raising money to help their families, with all of the proceeds going toward these foundations.
“We’re doing this to fulfill a pledge to families of wounded and fallen heroes, and it’s an exciting way to support our military men and women,” said Ralph. “We encourage everyone who follows us on our voyage via our blog to buy a Do More Than Just Say Thanks t-shirt. All the proceeds go to our foundations; every penny,” Ralph added. “The sale of our Do More t-shirts is paramount to our success, and I hope Interstate dealers get involved by selling some shirts, too. We can all do a little more and this is one way everyone can help.”
Information on the Do More t-shirts, and the list of charitable foundations, can be found at www.crosstheatlantic.com
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