Reed boat sails from Sidi Ifni in attempt to cross Atlantic
Morocco, Local, 12/3/2001

A primitive reed boat, Mata-Rangi III, left Sidi Ifni Sunday in an attempt to cross the Atlantic ocean.

Head of the expedition, Spanish explorer Kitin Munoz, said before sailing the purpose of the trip is scientific, but it is also meant to promote the ideals of peace and friendship between peoples.

Munoz, 43, a native of the Moroccan southern city of Sidi Ifni, and his multinational seven-man crew-- including members from the Easter Islands, Japan, Venezuela, Bolivia and Colombia-- are trying to prove that ancient seafarers could have crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The boat is identical to the boats used by ancient navigators, using ancient indigenous techniques, without any modern materials such as plastics.

The 20-meter reed boat will try to reach Colombia's Caribbean coast on a voyage expected to last up to five months.

Munoz, an honorary ambassador to UNESCO, made two attempts to cross the Pacific Ocean during the late 1990s, but both failed. Munoz's Mata Rangi I sank shortly after setting off from Easter Island, while Mata Rangi II sailed 10,000 km before the crew had to cut the boat in two to get rid of an infestation of sea termites which were eating it.

Kitin Munoz and his brother Jose Munoz had presented to King Mohammed VI a mock-up model of Mata-Rangi III at an audience in Fez Last April.

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