Ex-marine set to become first blind man to row the Pacific A former British marine is braving treacherous waters to become the first blind man to complete a boat race across the Pacific Ocean. Steve Sparkes and his partner Mick Dawson are rowing more than 2,400 miles from Monterey, California, to Waikiki, Hawaii. The two are still about 150 miles away from their final destination. They're getting ready for Hurricane Lane as it approaches the Hawaiian islands.