http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060502/od_nm/rower_death_dc

Without protection a man can survive for only a few hours in the cold Arctic waters around the Cape, but before his departure Richard Horntvedt told a local newspaper he was not taking a life raft or a survival suit as he did not have enough space.

The Norwegian coastguard Tuesday found the body of the 67-year-old adventurer roped to the keel of his overturned and wrecked boat two days after he had set off from the North Cape to row the length of Norway's coastline.

"We found his body at about 5.30 a.m. (0330 GMT) this morning drifting about 10 miles east of the Cape," emergency services spokesman Erlang Herstad said.

Submitter Comments: I guess I shouldn't find it hard to believe that someone can make such a wrong choice, since there are so many Award Winners on this site, but seriously: what kind of "adventurer" would ignore such an obvious safety error?

Let's see, list of things to bring on my rowboat trip along the coast of Norway: Rowboat - check. Oars - check. Food/Water - check. Life raft - nah, I'll never need that, it'd be a waste of space, after all, I'm already in a boat. Survival suit - no, those are for wimps, and I'll just stay warm by rowing harder. Emergency Radio - nope, don't need that, I've got my trusty cell phone to call 911* if something happens; hope it doesn't get wet when I'm out in the ocean. Yup, I'm all set for my 90-day adventure cruise along the coast of Norway via rowboat.

At least he thought to attach a safety line between himself and his boat, otherwise things could have really turned out poorly on his part.** Let's hope that if he has any children, they take after their mother more than their father.

* Or whatever number they call for emergencies in Norway. ** Sarcasm is not always readily apparent in text, so I thought I'd make this note.

Submitted on 05/03/2006

Submitted by: Brendan Galvin
Reference: Yahoo! News; 02 May 2006

Copyright © 2006 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
A few more details about our intrepid Norwegian would-be mariner. I will keep this one for Darwin!

Sheryl said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Thanks, Brendan, another write up with some originality to it. I agree with James - Darwin needs to see this.

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4