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U.S. woman attempting to row across Pacific rescued after SOS

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Well, that didn't take long.

21 ( +24 / -3 )

I'm tired of seeing wreckless people from all over the world trying to break records on their own and causing emergency services to rescue them. And tax payers from those countries having to foot the bill. If you want to do something that is going to put you in danger get some sponsors so they can pay for your wrecklessness.

Just my two cents.

17 ( +23 / -6 )

I said as much in the other article on her (mis)adventure and was roundly derided. I'm glad she's safe, but I hope she picks up the tab for her rescue.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Well she had her 5 minutes of fame, next up; a nutter who climbs Mount Everest wearing nothing but a thong.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Didn't she JUST start? She didn't think there was going to be any bad weather in her 4 month row across the world's biggest ocean? I'm glad she's safe, but I have to say I don't think this was well thought through at all, and may have just been a grab for attention.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

For all of you who think she should pick up the tab - so should everyone who ever needs rescuing have to pick up their own tab? Sailboats, or even large commercial ships and what not?

-14 ( +6 / -21 )

For all of you who think she should pick up the tab - so should everyone who ever needs rescuing have to pick up their own tab? Sailboats, or even large commercial ships and what not?

There is a difference between rescuing the hapless and rescuing the feckless. Fecklessness incurs a charge.

17 ( +21 / -3 )

Lol...how many people said THIS was gunna' happen ? I didn't even bother posting. " UnExpected " ?!, we're talking " Offthe Coast of JAPAN here; right ? Yeah; " UnExpected "....DrrrrF!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

There is a difference between rescuing the hapless and rescuing the feckless.

Taking a sailboat out on the open ocean seems pretty feckless to me. Pray tell, where exactly is the line that divides them?

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

Yeah, the weather will do that every now and then... ya know, rain and stuff.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

I think she left at a bad time with rainy season, etc either way it will always a gamble and rely a lot on the weather and luck.

Sure she will try again in 1-2yrs.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sending an SOS because of "expected bad weather" is bizarre. Predicted bad weather doesn't always happen, and bad weather at some point was clearly expected before she set off, but she went anyway... At least actually be in distress before sending a distress signal, not just maybe could be in distress later!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Its her right to call for a rescue.for sure she did her best. Dont understand why so many haters here.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Seems like she used bad weather as a excuse as a easy out. Unless your in a major typhoons you know your going to hit bad weather in the area.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

She tried. Too bad. At least she is safe.

About the "taxpayer" rescues -- this was virtually nothing, a little jog out by the CG. A training exercise at worst.

Every summer several sleepy folks on 900-yen beach floats wake up to find themselves out of sight of land. Let's outlaw that and every other sport or weekend pleasure that might require assistance...

0 ( +4 / -4 )

I thought that didn't sound like you, Zichi.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It seems she just figured impossible to cross the pacific in 4 months when she only traveled 250 km in a week... would've taken her just about double that time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

not just because you might expect bad weather. She could have just turned around and headed back to Japan.

There might have been another reason we are not being informed of.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

And tax payers from those countries having to foot the bill

She'll definitely get a bill from the coast guard. I suppose she lost her boat, too. All in all, an expensive little trip. Reminds me when I was a kid and we could rent a rowing boat on the local lake for 30 minutes, after which we'd hear, "Come on in, number 7. Your time is up."

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Strangerland: "Taking a sailboat out on the open ocean seems pretty feckless to me. Pray tell, where exactly is the line that divides them?"

You don't know the differences between a sailboat and a rowboat and what powers them?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

That did not last long. Did she seriously expect good weather for the whole trip?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

You don't know the differences between a sailboat and a rowboat and what powers them?

Of course I do.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Yeah... it was reckless... Yeah, she could have spent more time researching (it is rainy season after all...) but I'm not sure she should have to pick up the tab.

Yeah, it's our (or someone's) tax money being used when the coast guard comes in...but isn't that what the money is being paid for? Same deal with earthquake or fire insurance right? We hope nothing bad happens but when it does, it does. The money is already paid so might as well rescue people as opposed to million dollar drills.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

As Smith said, this just didn't appear to be a well thought out experience. Someone suggested she get sponsors before beginning her voyage - makes sense to me.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Strangerland: "Of course I do."

Then surely you know where the line is drawn when it comes to being feckless or not. If you are suggesting that the same should be applied to people who are professional sailors and who go out to see, not advertising beforehand that they are going to attempt to do something never done beforehand (because it's not really smart), then you better stay home, lock the doors, and never walk outside because that might be considered 'feckless', since there are dangers you might need help from.

karlrb: "Someone suggested she get sponsors before beginning her voyage - makes sense to me."

If she plays this smart, although I don't think that's possible, she MIGHT be able to get some sponsors for a second attempt in a couple years time. She should have done it before, and I doubt any sponsors would easily buy into her now, but she MIGHT be able to ride the fame -- or notariety -- of the whole debacle towards getting better trained and better equipment. As it is, she had no business doing what she did.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Wow. That easy to become famous. Hey guys I'm going to be the first to swim across the ocean from Enoshima to Cali. Wait.... "2km later" ahhh help me.

Same diff. Shouldn't even be on the news unless she completes it.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Same diff. Shouldn't even be on the news unless she completes it.

My thoughts exactly. Don't take pictures of her leaving; take pictures of her getting back.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Then surely you know where the line is drawn when it comes to being feckless or not.

No, I don't. And it seems no one else does either, since no one has explained.

If you are suggesting that the same should be applied to people who are professional sailors and who go out to see, not advertising beforehand that they are going to attempt to do something never done beforehand

She had done other major rowing trips - which would make her a professional. And she wasn't the first to be doing the trip across the pacific.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Previous comment I predicted this "good try but she not going to make it" but I did not expect its going to be so fast. She calculated that at this speed she will need 25.5 years to finish her trip so she find weather as excuse call for help. She could row back easily but it would be to shameful for her....

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I'm tired of seeing wreckless people from all over the world trying to break records on their own and causing emergency services to rescue them. And tax payers from those countries having to foot the bill. If you want to do something that is going to put you in danger get some sponsors so they can pay for your wrecklessness. Just my two cents.

If you don't want to pay taxes, why put in two cents?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

What a twit.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Pity she didn't row back to Japan rather than suffer the ignominy of being rescued. Surely she had enough supplies for that at least.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

crossing the pacific in a row boat is really professional.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

There is nothing wrong with turning back or asking for help. Her calling it off shows her maturity and experience.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Poorly planned effort ends like this. Instead of trying to establish new world records humans should spend there efforts on doing things that are useful to other human beings. Records won't do any one any good.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Well I'm DEFINITELY not rowing my way home! I will also make sure to avoid the "three-hour tour" right before the weather starts "getting rough" (unless an actress named "Ginger Grant" is on board)!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It's called a human endurance challenge for a reason. The woman who swam from Cuba to Florida tried about 12 times. It takes years of training to do these things. If she were to continue through the weather possibly damaging her boat or getting sick then the training and money would have been for nothing. Good call on her part. She still has her boat, health, and most of her supplies. I wish her luck on her next try. Why be normal?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Nice try dear. Well she ain't no William Bligh, who managed to cross almost 7000km in a launch with virtually no supplies. If she needed to be rescued because of ''bad weather'' then she clearly needs to rethink her strategy.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I think that it got bu888r all to do with the impending doom of bad weather, may be she run out of red lippy and finger nail gloss, you know guys these ladies are keen on there appearance ....something tells me I am going to get shed loads of thumbs down from the ladies now,

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Her ambition may be based on arrogance and ignorance to nature of the sea.

Am glad she realized it very soon. Good try though!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Japan Meteorological Agency has everything you need, if she was smart enough to use it and not rely on TV weather reports.

The Japan Meteorological Agency is like our NOAA National Oceanic And Atmospheric agency aka National Weather, ocean weather, even space weather.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@smithinjapanJUN. 14, 2015 - 08:20PM JST

the differences between a sailboat and a rowboat and what powers them?

The picture has Oars on both side. Row row row your boat gently down the stream..... She does not have enough food to go on Ocean, Her arm of rowing is power. My guess is she is not familiar with oceans and came from Central Area in USA.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Much derision here. At least she was willing and able to try. Would love to see some of you try anything of this scale.

Unexpected bad weather happens. No one can do anything about that nor is anyone to blame. It's called "unexpected" for a reason. Anyone who thinks this is preventable is deluded by hubris.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Googled her and found this older article about her and her sailing advantures.

Note the name of the boat "Limited Intelligence"

http://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/features/rowing-to-extremes/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, I expressed my skepticism in the earlier article. I'm no expert, but the ventured seemed hare-brained to me.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Jurgen Bagtong: Because too many people think the internet was created to let them be mean, opinionated cruel and sometimes stupid to anyone they like. It's so easy to sit at your computer and give your 2 cents, especially to people who are out there living there lives and at least trying something.

Do what I usually do, write a scathing rebuttal then erase it and move on, your life will be a lot happier and you won't have to put up with their responses, which they think are witty and full of intelligence but are usually just sh*t.

bec

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Geez! So much hate here it's disgusting. This brave woman, who has several major accomplishments to her credit, was attempting an extremely daunting task in even ideal conditions. She acknowledged her progress and the conditions were not working out. Much better to call it off while conditions are non-lifethreatening. I hope she's able to regroup and launch another attempt.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

something of a moron I hope that she or her family is made to pay for her rescue which was inevitable.

the weather was expected and so was the rescue......I don't believe that in this case "moronic" is too strong a term

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

StrangerlandJun. 14, 2015 - 06:32PM JST There is a difference between rescuing the hapless and rescuing the feckless. Taking a sailboat out on the open ocean seems pretty feckless to me. Pray tell, where exactly is the line that divides them?

Basically the line goes whenever someone screws up. If she'd made it across she'd (probably, there are starting to pile up with people who've done this now) be hailed as something of a hero. Bored people love to rib on people who do something unusual just for the hell of it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

She was smart to regroup and rethink. She's experienced - a rescue this close is cheaper than one farther out.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

She tried, and she failed. Perhaps she will try again, perhaps not. What is important is whether she will pay the bill for those who went out of their way to rescue her (she involved 2 ships)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

*a nutter who climbs Mount Everest wearing nothing but a thong.***** or marathon runner, running across the Serengeti in a Zebra costume

0 ( +1 / -1 )

this article doesn't mention that she spent the first few days close to the japanese coastline because she was sea sick. once she managed to catch the trans-pacific current, she basically got scared and called in the SOS. i defended her in an earlier post, but i have to rescind that now. she's a loon and this was probably a publicity stunt by her backers. i think the tip-off should have been when we saw her picture last week. usually, people who try to pull off these endurance journeys are fit as a fiddle. Ms. baumstein hardly fits that mold.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There might have been another reason we are not being informed of.

It seems I was right. Read about how things went down here, please. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_PACIFIC_ROWER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-06-14-02-23-34

Or maybe it's just easier and quicker to do the thumb-down trick.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Working link: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_PACIFIC_ROWER?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-06-14-02-23-34

From the article:

At the time, she was approaching the limits of the Japanese Coast Guard's normal range and decided with her team that it would be irresponsible to continue and potentially put rescuers' lives at risk, the team said in a statement.

And:

She said earlier that any costs for a rescue were to be covered by insurance.

I bet someone here will still find something to deride her about though. It wouldn't be JT otherwise.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@toshiko:

She does not have enough food to go on Ocean, Her arm of rowing is power. My guess is she is not familiar with oceans and came from Central Area in USA

My guess is that you didn't bother reading any of the original article about her. She's kayaked across the Atlantic, Caribbean and paddle boarded across the Bering straight.

Also, it appears some information is not provided here, but it seems she already lost some of her equipment and she decided to call it off before going further out to see.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/14/asia/pacific-rower-sonya-baumstein-rescued/

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Of course you're going to have bad weather when you travel across any large body of water for several months and may have to strap yourself into some type of restraint system while her rowboat gets flipped over and over by large waves.

Until now I did not click on that woman's photograph and was really surprised at her physical condition. She is very overweight, has no muscle tone in the arms so what physical training did she do to prepare herself for rowing up to maybe 15 hours per day for a few thousand miles? I think this is some nut case or a publicity stunt

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Hawkeye: Until now I did not click on that woman's photograph and was really surprised at her physical condition. She is very overweight, has no muscle tone in the arms so what physical training did she do to prepare herself for rowing up to maybe 15 hours per day for a few thousand miles? I think this is some nut case or a publicity stunt

And I'm really beginning to think JT readers are functionally illiterate. Do yourself a favor, so you don't look like such a berk, and google the woman. You'll get a list of accomplishments longer than your arm, enough to make the majority of posters here look like sad, little couch potatoes. You'll also learn why she gained all the weight she did. I daresay she's far fitter than most any of the keyboard jockeys here, most of whom probably think they're Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay and Emilia Earhart wrapped into one just for managing to get themselves to Japan. Add throwing on a yukata after taking a dip in the ohsen and you've got yourself a bunch of Neil Armstrongs.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

most of whom probably think they're Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay and Emilia Earhart wrapped into one just for managing to get themselves to Japan

No, they would have derided Edmund, Tenzing and Emilia just as much, had the internet been around then.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

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