"In the earlier morning hours of August 2nd 1943, the patrol boat PT109 was sunk after being rammed by the Japanese Destroyer Amagiri, in Blackett Strait near Ferguson Passage. The Captain, Lt. John F. Kennedy, an ex Harvard swimmer spent the next 30 hours supporting and towing his 10 surviving crew members to a temporary shelter known today as Kennedy Island. In addition to the swim after the collision, Kennedy staged a daring rescue attempt, swimming first to Naru Island and then to Olasana Island in search of help and a better source of food for his men. His swim of approximately 4 kilometres, through waters patrolled by enemy ships, has long been recognised as a feat of tremendous courage and bravery."

"A marathon swim marking the 60th anniversary of the sinking of PT109, on August 2, 2003, will be the first of what will become an annual event – The JFK PT109 Swim Marathon in Gizo"

[url]http://www.pt109swim.com/index.html[/url]

Lagoon based swim, water approx 28C (85F), some sharks possible but no enemy ships expected.