Queens Man Rowboat Departs Brooklyn

Online, December 2, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Victor Mooney of Flushing watched his 24' custom made Brazilian rowboat, christened The Spirit of Malabo, hoisted into a Maersk Line container today at the Gateway Marina.

Mr. Mooney who has lost one brother to AIDS and has another battling the disease will rejoin his boat later this month. After some further tests in the Canary Islands, the longtime rower will make his way back to Brooklyn, some five-thousand miles later in a fourth attempt at this feat. Mr. Mooney hopes his mission will encourage voluntary HIV testing.

Maersk, VBLAST, Home Depot, Foodtown, British Virgin Island Tourism Board, Gateway Marina, Republic of Equatorial Guinea and others were recognized for their support of New York based - South African Arts International mission.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz proclaimed the Spirit of Malabo Send-off Day. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Grace Meng, sent letters of greeting for the event. The event was also attended by the Board of Directors for South African Arts International.

Video
Spirit of Malabo enters a Maesrk container
www.youtu.be/pzRgrLSo0TA

Photo
Gateway Marina worker hoist the Spirit of Malabo rowboat into a Maersk Line container
www.img3.allvoices.com/thumbs/image/609/480/102068819-queens-man.jpg

On the net: www.goreechallenge.com

About South African Arts International (SAAI)

The Mission of SAAI is to promote multimedia events in venues all over the world; to exhibit the works of artist, artisans, musicians, scholars and professionals; to facilitate worldwide cultural understanding; disseminate and exchange international art and culture; to provide scholarships, sponsor cultural events and artistic seminars; to increase awareness of global pandemic of HIV/AIDS; and to finance these activities through soliciting contributions and funding from both private and public resources.