Last March, a ship of NOAA (美国国家海洋和大气管理局) was traveling in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when the crew found a surprise on the sea.
It was a bright orange barrel (桶), 10 feet long and seven feet wide. The ocean current (洋流) was pushing it to the west very slowly. 72-year-old French adventurer Jean-Jacques Savin was on an Atlantic crossing in the barrel.
After 127 days and six hours at sea, Savin arrived in the Caribbean on May 2. Some joked and asked if the police were arresting (逮捕) him on arrival for being so crazy.
The Guinness Book of World Records lists more than 30 methods of crossing the 3,000-mile ocean. In 1952, Alain Bombard traveled alone from the Canary Islands to Barbados in a rubber boat. Before his journey, Savin had read Bombard’s book many times. He had also crossed Atlantic four times in a sailboat before.
In the resin-coated wood barrel, he created about 65 square feet of living space inside, including a small kitchen and sleeping area. The design was built to protect both against Atlantic’s waves and attacks from orca whales. Savin fed himself by catching fish. He brought along a water maker.
Although he originally believed he could float across the ocean in around 90 days, the trip was stalled by slow wind. He said the trip was calm except for eight nights of bad weather.
“Everything has end,” Savin said. “Finally, here I am at the end of this adventure.”
11. Why were the crew surprised on the NOAA ship?
A.They discovered new environment problems. |
B.Savin was arrested after his journey. |
C.They saw a 10-foot-long orange barrel was floating on the sea. |
D.Alain Bombard traveled along in a rubber boat. |
12. According to the passage, what danger did Savin have to face on the sea?
a. his old age
b. huge waves in bad weather
c. having no experience of crossing the sea
d. attacks from orca whales
e. without any food and water
13. We can infer from the passage that ________.
A.The NOAA’s ship saved Savin |
B.Savin’s journey was inspired by Alain Bombard |
C.Savin made a Guinness World Record |
D.Savin spent around 90 days in his barrel |