THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503020160
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
In July 1992, when Bryan Peterson set sail from San Francisco on a two-year, around-the-world voyage in a 24-foot Zodiac inflatable boat powered only by soybean oil and sunlight, his purpose was simple.
He wanted to raise awareness about the environmental advantages of using Biodiesel fuel.
But this former Hawaiian paramedic had no idea he'd have to fight pirates, hurricane-force winds and machine gun-wielding Mexican marines to do it.
``I came back a real strong American,'' said the 50-year-old Peterson, who, in September, became the first person to successfully circumnavigate the world in an inflatable boat. He was in Hampton Roads this week with the vessel, the Sunrider, to speak to several area student groups and at public forums.
``I met so many wonderful people and learned more about different cultures,'' he said. ``And for the first time, now I've really come to value and appreciate what America is.''
Peterson's area visit was sponsored by the Suffolk School Board; the Chuckatuck and Crittenden, Eclipse and Hobson Ruritan clubs; Nansemond Country Farm Bureau; and Friends of the Environment.
On Feb. 27, he presented a slide show and spoke to a crowd of about 200 at Nansemond River High School. Beforehand, the Iowan talked about his 40,000-mile voyage and the virtues of Biodiesel.
``Like everybody, I'm interested in keeping the water and the air clean,'' Peterson said. ``This fuel really makes a difference.''
Biodiesel, which is actually vegetable oil that has been thinned down by a molecular process, can be used in any off-the-shelf diesel engine, Peterson explained.
``You can eat it, but I wouldn't want to know anyone who did,'' he quipped.
During his many months at sea, Peterson used some 18,000 gallons of the stuff, with few problems. Just getting the fuel to the boat was a feat at times. The oil was shipped in 55-gallon containers to the nearest ports, then transported by airplane, canoe or freighter. A few times, the drums had to be floated downriver to reach Peterson.
The trip was delayed a couple of times after it was discovered a shipment had been mixed with chocolate and another wound up in a remote island restaurant as salad oil.
The Sunrider, a converted rescue boat, was equipped with the latest solar-powered electronic navigational and communications equipment. Some 130 corporations, nonprofit groups, governmental agencies and 14 countries signed on to help pay for the project, including the United Soybean Board, MerCruiser, Interchem Environmental and Earth Day International.
After 20 years as a Hawaiian paramedic, working in inflatable rescue vessels, Peterson trusted his choice with his life, literally.
``This was the first time I'd ever tried blue-water sailing,'' the skipper said. ``All of it was new to me. I admit, there was a lot of water. But I was in the right boat. It turned out to be very safe.''
The ultimate test came while traveling around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, where Peterson encountered hurricane-force winds and 20-foot seas. ``The boat did fine, but it scared me to death,'' he said.
After that close call, ``I realized the sea is not a singular experience. It is so rich. Everyday there was something new, a new color to place in the palette of my experience.''
One of his more harrowing experiences occurred near Colombia. His 14-year-old son, who accompanied his father for several legs of the journey, was with him.
Peterson had been warned about the prevalence of pirates along the Colombian coast, so he stayed about 50 miles offshore on his way past the country, headed for the Panama Canal.
Suddenly, a 40-foot boat appeared alongside the Sunrider, carrying five ``glaring'' men who made it clear they wanted to jump on board Peterson's vessel. After trying, unsuccessfully, to outrun them and alerting the authorities by radio, Peterson finally scared them off.
``When I waved a machette at them, they changed their mind,'' he recalled.
Although he didn't leave with the American flag sailing, when Peterson sailed into San Francisco Bay last September escorted by a fleet of other soy-powered vessels, the flag was prominent.
``I came back quite aware of how lucky I am to be an American,'' he said. ``I met so many people and learned so much about different cultures. But probably the best part of the trip was coming home.'' MEMO: Peterson and the Sunrider will tour boat shows and make special
appearances throughout the country during the next few months. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Bryan Peterson set sail on an around-the-world voyage in a 24-foot
Zodiac inflatable boat.
by CNB