Despite warnings from U.S. Coast Guard, a local mayor will paddle from Cuba to Florida in this thing

Clint Johnson, a man who describes himself on his Facebook profile as “Mayor of DeBary, Entrepreneur, Adventurer, Contrarian Thinker,” recently posted a photo of a raft design he will likely use to float from Cuba to Florida.

Good luck, mayor. 

Johnson, who says he will fly to Havana and make a 2 week solo journey to Key West in mid-April to better understand Cuban migrants, posted the photo after a recent test run at Ponce Inlet. 

“Ocean test run complete! Educational, enlightening, and an awesome experience. #Cuba next!” said the DeBary mayor on his Instagram page. 

Johnson plans to assemble the raft in Cuba using supplies that would only be available to Cuban immigrants. He will not be using a motor, however he will have a GPS. 

Since announcing his ambitious plan, both citizens of DeBary and the U.S. Coast Guard have urged Johnson to reconsider this dangerous 106 mile quest.

Johnson posted an excerpt from the Coast Guards’ response to his personal blog, where they claim his journey may result in “grave consequences.” 

Johnson has stated on his personal blog that this is not a city sponsored or sanctioned event. “This, as with all my adventures, is a personal pursuit done on my personal time & money.”  

According to his blog, Johnson’s trip is sponsored by sun tan lotion company Havana Sun. 

This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2016.