Frenchman Jean-Jacques Savin is trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a barrel. He brought wine and foie gras

When Jean-Jacques Savin celebrates his 72nd birthday in January, he’ll probably be all alone inside an orange barrel somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.

But don’t worry: He has a special bottle of wine for the occasion.

Savin took off from El Hierro in Spain’s Canary Islands on Wednesday for a months-long trip he hopes will take him all the way to the Caribbean, propelled only by the winds and ocean currents.

“For the time being, my capsule is behaving very, very well and I’ve got favourable winds forecast until Sunday,” he told Agence France-Presse by phone after departing.

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The orange vessel is made from resin-coated plywood and is designed to protect him not only from the elements, but also from possible attacks by orca whales.