Rower tackles Atlantic

NEW YORK – A New York City man who has tried unsuccessfully in the past to row across the Atlantic Ocean has begun his third attempt at the feat.

Victor Mooney departed from a marina in the Cape Verde islands 300 miles off the coast of Africa at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

He pointed his bow west toward the Caribbean, and if his luck holds he plans to land in Brooklyn in six to eight months.

Mooney’s first attempt at the crossing ended quickly in 2006 when his hand-built boat sank shortly after it was launched.

His second attempt in 2009 was scuttled by an equipment failure after two weeks at sea.

Mooney said he promised his wife that this would be his last try.

He said he is rowing to raise awareness about AIDS.