Dom Mee
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Dom Mee is a British adventurer who attempted in August/September 2005 to cross the North Atlantic Ocean in a 14' (4.26 m) kite-propelled boat, dubbed the Kite Boat.
His journey began from Saint John's, Canada, on August 19, 2005. The main kite was 107.6 sq. ft. (10 m².) in area, which gave the boat speeds of up to thirteen knots. The boat was carrying 60 days' worth of provisions. The total length of the journey was to be 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km): he planned to arrive at Exmouth in Devon, southwest England, after 35 days, but arduous weather conditions slowed his progress, often driving him back, and damaging his communications equipment. After weathering three severe storms, the Kite Boat lost its sea anchor on Sunday 25 September, lashed by 70 km/h winds in seas up to 18 m high. A series of capsizes followed, and Dom's cabin filled with water. He spent five hours clinging to the upturned hull, before a wave righted the boat. For a further 24 hours he managed to keep the boat afloat, before he was rescued by the Canadian coastguard.
Dom Mee's journey from St. Johns, Newfoundland to Exmouth, Dorset, England, will be approximately 2000 nautical miles, or 3700 kilometers. Dom is using spinnaker replacement kites manufactured by KiteShip Corporation.