Italian friends fulfill dying father's dream by crossing Atlantic in floating cars
In 1999, Italian friends Marco Amoretti and Marco De Candia embarked on an extraordinary journey, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in two modified floating cars: a Volkswagen Passat and a Ford Taunus. Their daring expedition, which began in La Palma, Canary Islands, was inspired by the dying wish of Marco Amoretti's father, Giorgio Amoretti. Giorgio, a renowned adventurer and photojournalist known for unconventional expeditions, had long dreamed of crossing the Atlantic in a car capable of floating. He had spent years developing a prototype, but was unable to complete the transatlantic voyage himself due to financial and logistical challenges. When Giorgio was diagnosed with terminal cancer in November 1998, his sons, Marco, Mauro, and Fabio, decided to fulfill his final dream. They adapted two used cars with keels, masts, and solar-powered satellite phones, disguising the modifications to avoid issues with road regulations. The brothers initially set out with a family friend, Marco De Candia, taking Giorgio's place as his health declined. The journey began on May 4, 1999, with the cars launched into the sea from La Palma. After an initial period of drifting, during which Mauro and Fabio were rescued due to seasickness, Marco Amoretti and Marco De Candia continued alone. They navigated using wind and currents, facing challenges like frequent cable breaks between the cars, constant motion, and the harsh marine environment. The friends adapted to their new reality, developing survival techniques taught by Giorgio, such as fishing for plankton. Their journey gained media attention, with one journalist dubbing them 'autonauts.' The satellite phone eventually stopped working on May 25th, which, while causing concern for their families, brought a sense of freedom to the adventurers. Tragically, Giorgio Amoretti passed away three days after the phone went silent, a coincidence that deeply affected his family.
This narrative highlights the powerful intersection of personal ambition, familial legacy, and technological innovation. The 'autonauts' expedition, driven by a son's desire to honor his father's final wish, showcases human perseverance against formidable natural elements. The story implicitly questions the role of technology in adventure; the initial reliance on satellite communication created a tether to the familiar world, while its failure fostered a sense of unadulterated exploration. This event can be viewed through the lens of systems thinking: the Amoretti family's unconventional approach to life and education, embodied by Giorgio's radical ideas and home-schooling, created a unique environment where such an ambitious and seemingly improbable feat could be conceived and executed. The expedition's success, despite initial setbacks and the eventual loss of the dreamer, underscores the enduring human drive to push boundaries and fulfill deeply held aspirations, even in the face of mortality and technological limitations.
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