THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503070042
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 99 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 would have to fight pirates, hurricane-force winds and machine-gun-wielding Mexican marines to do it.
``I came back a real strong American,'' said Peterson, 50, 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.
He presented a slide show and spoke at Virginia Wesleyan College on Feb. 28 and at Old Dominion University on March 1.
Peterson, an 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 of entry, then further transported by airplane, canoe or freighter. A few times, the drums had to be floated down river 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 Interna-tional.
After 20 years as a Hawaiian paramedic, working in inflatable rescue vessels, Peterson trusted his choice with his life, literally.
``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,'' he said.
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 now admits.
After that close call, ``I realized the sea is not a singular experience. Every day 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 Panana 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 machete at them, they changed their mind,'' he recalled.
Not long afterward, as Peterson was heading into the Mexican naval base at Puerto Madera, the main port of Chiapas, the Sunrider was rounded and rammed by two launches full of screaming Mexican marines, all toting machine guns. After boarding the Sunrider, the marines held Peterson and his son at gunpoint for almost 30 minutes.
``It was crazy,'' he said. ``They searched the boat and realized we weren't rebels. But then they didn't leave. I guess they didn't have any other orders, so they just stayed put. Finally, I just ordered them off the boat, and they left.''
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.
``. . . 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: Staff photos by BETH BERGMAN
Powered by soybean oil, this inflatable boat traveled around the
world.
Bryan Peterson
by CNB