Kenichi Horie, renowned as Japan’s foremost yachtsman, once expressed his sole concern before embarking on his solo non-stop journey across the Pacific Ocean: his age. However, on Saturday, the 83-year-old shattered any doubts, emerging as the world’s oldest person to achieve this remarkable feat.
After navigating the vast expanse of the Pacific for over two months, this octogenarian pioneer, who first made history in 1962 with his inaugural successful voyage, reached the waters near Japan’s Kii peninsula at 2:39 AM local time.
Reflecting on his journey, Horie shared an uplifting message with CNN via satellite phone as he sailed from Shikoku Island to Wakayama: “Don’t let your dreams merely remain dreams. Set goals and work towards them, and a fulfilling life awaits.”
Setting sail from San Francisco, California, aboard the 990kg, 19ft-long Suntory Mermaid III, a vessel custom-fit for his 5ft stature, on March 27th, he encountered challenges along the way but maintained daily contact with his family to ease any worries.
Horie, who eschewed any port stops, was sighted off Hawaii’s O‘ahu island on April 16th and was anticipated to reach Cape Hinomisaki by the weekend. Upon arrival, he will be towed to his home port, Shin Nishinomiya yacht harbor, followed by a ceremonial welcome in Nishinomiya city, Hyogo prefecture.
Throughout his maritime career, Horie has crossed the Pacific in various vessels, including those fashioned from aluminum cans, beer kegs, and whiskey barrels, powered by solar panels and foot pedals. He maintains his physical fitness without structured training: “I’m always fine, always in shape… No overeating, no over-drinking,” he assured the San Francisco Chronicle before his latest voyage.
When asked about concerns regarding his journey, he quipped, “Nothing at all. Maybe just being old.”
At the age of 23, while employed as a spare car parts salesperson, Horie accomplished his first non-stop Pacific crossing from Japan to California in 1962. Reflecting on that pivotal journey, he admitted moments of anxiety during storms with only a radio for company, subsisting on rice and canned provisions throughout.
After a dramatic arrival through San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in a 19ft plywood boat after 94 days at sea without documents or funds, he was briefly detained but soon granted a visa in recognition of his audacity.
“I never imagined I’d still be sailing at 83, but I’m healthy and couldn’t pass up this opportunity,” he shared with CNN. “Challenges are exhilarating, so I intend to continue pushing myself.”
His inaugural vessel, the Mermaid, now resides at the National Maritime Museum in California, bearing a plaque donated by Horie: “Take a moment to remember the achievement of a young Japanese who cherished yachts and the United States of America.”
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