Rimas Rides Again

The recent voyages of Russian-born sailor Rimas Meleshyus, 63, have garnered widespread interest within the sailing community, not because he has proven to be a great mariner, but because despite having virtually no training or previous offshore experience, he has survived thousands of miles of open-ocean sailing aboard a tiny trailer-sailer.

When he sold that 24-footer in American Samoa earlier this year, many of his followers hoped he would abandon his stated goal of sailing solo around the world, despite having only minimal sailing skills. But Rimas was determined to find another — bigger — boat and try again. 

This week, thanks to his greatest supporter, San Francisco Bay sailor Jean Mondeau, Rimas received a substantial upgrade: a stout, 1968 Rawson 30 named Mimsy.

Why does Mondeau continue to enable his longtime Russian friend, despite worrying that his voyaging dreams may end in disaster? "We all know that anyone can get across the Pacific on a floating device — look at Jose Salvador Alvarenga, the man who drifted in a panga for 13 months to the Marshall Islands last year, surviving the ordeal with no supplies.

"But the reason I help Rimas is because of me. I love boats and the adventures they take you to. This society’s youth has lost touch with the world around it. And any sailor worth his salt that has sailed on a pitch-black starlit night and seen the majesty of the world beyond our horizons can’t help but share, and set a man (Rimas) free to go to sea. 

"For a small pittance of my salary and some selfless time donated, I know in my heart that at least one soul on this earth is looking up, crying in amazement and bewilderment at the majesty above him… I give of myself and get only the quiet satisfaction of knowing I made his dream come true." Makes us wonder what kind of a world would it be without dreamers — and those who support them.