
It was Dave Zimmer’s voice, loud and clear, exulting over the glow he’d identified dead ahead indicating that land in the shape of Punta del Este, Uruguay, was not far off. Land, after 20 days. Not a long time compared to the endless early voyages in the old square riggers, but it was relative. In today’s world, how many people other than a handful of yachtsmen, a few astronauts, scientists on research vessels or sailors on extended military missions could say they had been away from dry land for 20 days?