July  2003 

[New York] Theodore Rezvoy (35) left Battery Park Boat Slip on July 2 for a 65-day, 3382-mile journey across the Atlantic to Brest, France. He would make the trip alone with a human powered rowboat, ancient in concept yet fashioned from space-aged materials and using high-tech gadgets.
But just 204-miles East of New York his boat was seized by the Navy Missile frigate, the USS Doyle. It was later abandoned in the vast Atlantic, with little chance of recovery.
He was searched once; and searched again. A knife and flare was confiscated. He was then taken to a police station in Salem, Massachusetts.

Teddy (Theodore), and organizers, are now trying to understand why the crew of the USS Doyle reacted so aggressively and without concern for the professional adventurer, or his $100,000 boat.
"We don't have the advantage of knowing what was in the minds of the Doyle," said Kenneth Crutchlow Executive Director of the Ocean Rowing Society. We haven't spoken to them nor will we try. We recognize that they are professionals and have a job to do." But Crutchlow did wonder if the Navy became suspicious after Teddy told them his destination was France when at the time, a 4-knot wind was blowing him back towards US coastal waters.
"What we've tried to do is make some logic of it, and the conclusion we've come to, is that when they asked where are you bound? He said France, but in fact, at that moment he was headed towards New York," Crutchlow said.
Since, Sept. 11 New York and her waters have been under intense security measures, while on land and the ocean, personal liberties have been put aside amidst a stern vigilance against future terrorist attacks.
"Now that I think about it there was security issues every time he moved about the New York harbor," said Crutchlow. "They were very nervous when he was going under the Verrazano Bridge."
Still, why the Navy just left his boat behind, remains unanswered. USS Doyle crewmembers did try to load the craft, but abandoned it after a single failed attempt. Additionally, the beacon was removed making later recovery virtually impossible.
Teddy, a member of the Ocean Rowing Society, and in association with the Xexplorersweb Corporation, outfitted the boat with modern communication devices that enabled him to know a ship was nearby. The project, supported by the Cabinet Ministers of Ukraine, and other Ukrainian companies, it used a high-tech radar enhancer system called SeaMe. With this new technology that he was aware of a boat nearby. He contacted the vessel, stating his destination.
When the ship appeared, he saw that it was a Navy vessel. Her crew took possession of Teddy and the "Ukraine" (his boat).
"I cannot he separated from my boat," Teddy said. They told him not to worry. But after one failed attempt, they left it in the ocean.
A week earlier, Teddy's trip was proceeded by a public display with fireboats spraying water canons; and amid the cheers of New Yorker’s, local media; not at all secretive, or covert.
Teddy, a Ukrainian citizen, has presented a detailed report to the Consul General of Ukraine in New York. While they have accepted his account, he will go back to London to visit family.
Despite the loss, Teddy will not take the Navy to court. Neither does he hold any animosity towards the USS Doyle. "He doesn't hold that these guys were doing anything but a professional job. Events just happened, and he is an adventurer after all, and not supposed to be crying over spilt milk," said Crutchlow.
Teddy and his crew will build another boat and finish the journey, giving honor to the Ukraine, by being the first to travel by rowboat, both East and West across the Atlantic. He has already rowed from France to the US, the Western route.
Additionally he extends his dedication to those who died on Sept. 11, firemen and emergency personal, at the World Trade Center.
"Nothings has changed. The fact is; after digesting what happened and knowing that President Bush says the United States is at war with terrorism; and are very serious. Events just happened," said Crutchlow