Brothers Ralph and Bob Brown's crazy journey across the Atlantic in a tiny flats boat is being retold in a book now on sale.

'Bermuda Suicide Challenge' is Bob Brown's account of the world's longest ever unescorted oceanic crossing in such a vessel — the 21-feet Intruder 21 — in May this year.

The Floridian pair defied the advice of Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre to complete the trip, from North Carolina to Bermuda (674 miles, 51 hours) and then on to New York harbour (another 772 miles, 53 hours) a few days later.

Mr. Brown tells the story in diary form, beginning with the call he received from his brother Ralph convincing him to take part in the unusual challenge, right through to the pair's victory lap of the Statue of Liberty, which earned them a $75 fine for breaking strict security regulations.

He points to the friendliness of Bermudians they met during their brief stay on the Island, and highlights how the brothers enjoyed their moment of fame thanks to local media coverage.

Referring to a visit to Angeline's coffee shop in St. George's, Mr. Brown writes: "Halfway through our meal, somehow, probably due to Ralph bringing up the topic, everyone inside found out about our trip.

"The Royal Gazette newspaper was sold there, so we bought two copies, one for each of us, " he wrote.

Referring to Charles and Joan Ratteray, of Sandys, "a couple eating on a table to the back of the diner, called over to ask for our autographs. They said that we would be famous.

"I was shocked, nobody ever asked for my autograph. After all, I didn't feel like I did anything. I just went for a long boat ride."

Toward the end of the book, he says: "I have to say the whole Island was inhabited by the nicest group of people I ever came across.

"Strangers held doors open; it was easy to start up conversations on the buses or in lines at the grocery store. Everyone used the words 'please' and 'thank you' everywhere we went on the island."

Mr. Brown also recollects fondly on his dealings with The Royal Gazette and articles from this newspaper are scattered throughout the book extensively.

'Bermuda Suicide Challenge', published by AuthorHouse, is available at www.authorhouse.com, and will soon be available on www.amazon.com.

Mr. Brown warns grammatical fusspots that it contains many spelling errors due to the fact he's a house painter rather than an author, and did not use a proofreader.

"As I said on the trip, whatever happens, happens," he said.