City of Charleston gives rest to US rower
Victor Mooney of Queens, New York arrived in Charleston, South Carolina over the weekend. The Charleston Maritime Center welcomed the weary oarsmen and the Spirit of Malabo – the 24 foot ocean rowboat. Mr. Mooney used this wooden vessel to row across one of the many slave trading routes in the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Africa.
Victor Mooney (49) of Queens, New York and a worker at the Charleston Maritime Center embrace each other on the oarsmen arrival. Mr. Mooney is nearing the completion of a 5,000 mile transatlantic row to encourage voluntary HIV testing.
The Goree Challenge Team is using his visit as a resupply center to replenish worn out equipment and procure food/ water for the next leg. No date has been announced for his departure at this time.
Among other things, Mr. Mooney has begun meeting with the HIV community in the Low Country. Mr. Mooney 5,000 mile row culminates in New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. His three previous failed attempts in a ten year period never deterred him for advocating the need for voluntary HIV testing.
