Middletown

Reporter

BY TERRY GAUTHIER MUESSIG
Staff Writer

These four Dutchmen plan to cross the Atlantic Ocean in this rowboat, which was docked in Atlantic Highlands recently. They are, from left, Robert Hoeve, Gijs Groenveld, Jaap Koomen and Maarten Staarink. (STAFF PHOTO: FRANK GALIPO)

As the gentle west winds blew on Monday morning, four Dutchmen said farewell to the United States for their journey back home, to Rotterdam, Holland, in their 35-foot
rowboat.
On May 5, Gijs Groeneveld, 26, Jaap Koomen. 30. Maarten Staarink and Robert Hoeve, both 27, arrived in the United States, via а jet, to get ready for their last leg of their
quest to break the world record by rowing across the Atlantic Ocean from New York City to the Scilly Islands near the coast of England in less than 55 days.
Their coach, Мах HIoosterman, also came to the United States.
"I was the only one who came here with а round-trip ticket," he said. HIoosterman came to the United States with the rowers to help with their last-minute training and for
moral support. He said he, too, was а rower but started coaching about 10 years ago.

"You can call us Dutch 1 3, and 4," Groeneveld said about pronouncing and saying their names. His nickname is "Goose," said Rob Knox of Highlands.
For the past two weeks, the four men have men have been staying in Atlantic Highlands at the Blue Bay Inn.
"I wanted to dо something crazy before I started а nine-to-five job," Staarink said, although he later said that his medical profession will require odd hours.
"I think this was а coincidence none of us could or wanted to pass up," he said.
"You have one life, live it," Koomen, said.
At first, the event was presented and arranged by the Challenge Business in England, but then taken over by the Woodvale Events Organization, Staarink said. The race was
to be held with 12 other four-men teams in rowboats crossing the Atlantic, Staarink said. However, the company changed the date to 2006. The original year of the race was
in 2003.
"We had а lot of sponsors who had backed us for this," Staarink said. The cost to be in the event was 210,000 Euros, he said. The exchange rate as of last week for
210,000 Euros was $266,183.
After deciding to go it alone, the men started making their own arrangements.
-We want to break the record of Frank Samuelson and George Harbo set in 1896," Staarink said:
Samuelson and Harbo were from Atlantic Highlands. "We wanted to start out where they started," Staarink said. That is what made the men stay in Atlantic Highlands, he
said.
On May 17, their rowboat arrived in the borough via а cargo ship, he said.
"Everyone here is very accommodating to us," Staarink said. The Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission approved а slip for their vessel for the four ¬day stay. On May 20,
they headed (by rowing the boat) to Battery Park in New York, where they started their journey home.
"What is that?" Dorothy Graf of Keansburg said, as she was taking а closer look at the rowboat. Unlike any other boat in the water, their vessel is about 4-feet wide and has
an enclosed compartment on each end of the 35-foot boat. The boat is painted white but has about 30 or so decals naming all their sponsors on the boat.
"I never saw а boat like this," Graf said. After Staarink told her and her friend Wilbur Reed of Union County about the rowboat and their trek across the Atlantic, she
marvelled at their adventurism.
"It is amazing, wonderful," she said. Before she left the dock, she wished them а safe trip home and good luck.
"The thing I like about the American people is their enthusiasm," Staarink said. At home, he said the people are more reserved and would just shake their heads or nod with
а smile. "Some dо say it's amazing, but here (in the United States), the people seem to get excited far us."
Their plans once they leave the shores of New York City are to have two men rowing at all times. "We will row for two hours at а time," Groeneveld said. While he and his
partner are rowing, the other two men will either sleep or до some cooking. The boat is equipped with а kitchenette-style stove. The food they are bringing is freezed-dried
and vacuum packed.
"We will have three hot meals а day and breakfast," he said.
"We have lots of snacks, too," Groeneveld said. As for а lavatory, Staarink said they have а bucket and а "toss-it-overboard" concept in place.
The men will be entertained by music. They have а radio, а computer for e-mail and а satellite telephone. They also have а beacon tracking device and will be sending
information about their position and progress about 20 times а day, he said.
"This is а selfish project," Staarink said. "This is something we wanted to do and all of our families and friends are worried about our journey."
"How fast can you go in that?" Doug Rittman of Keansburg asked as he looked at the boat. According to Staarink, they have had practice runs and have gotten up to а
speed of 2 and half knots.
"Whoa, that's pretty fast," Rittman said as he smiled and shook his head. But then said he thought they were crazy for wanting to row а boat across the Atlantic.
"I'm sure we will have difficult times," Hoeve said. "But we have trained for this and we are ready. We just want to get out there and have а good time."

The public can track their trip by visiting www.oceanfours .соm on the Web.
Terry Gauthier Muessig: (732) 291-2643 or terrygm@арр.соm