22 Jan 09

The row is over.  Since my last update, we have been forced to end the expedition and call for assistance.  Despite our best efforts, attempts to fashion a working replacement rudder that we could manually operate and which would bring us to Barbados, were unsuccessful.  When faced with the prospect of having no ability to steer the boat, particularly in the strong weather we were experiencing, we had no choice but to put out the call for help.

Due to our inability to manoeuvre, our last 2 nights on board were spent on the sea anchor (basically a parachute that opens under the water which allows the boat to stay stationary) This meant for extremely cramped sleeping conditions with 6 and sometimes 8 to a cabin.  Very cosy.  At 8.00pm January 15th, we were picked up by a Russian 24,000 ton cargo ship called the Island Ranger.  After the nail biting hour it took to transfer everyone from the La Mondiale to the Island Ranger, we were forced to leave our home for 10 days adrift on the Atlantic.  It was a sad moment to see the La Mondiale so bumped, bruised and empty as we were brought off the deck by our Russian hosts.

Praise must be given here to the captain and crew of the Island Ranger who performed a 100% successful rescue operation with great skill and ability in very difficult conditions. Since then we spent 5 days on board the cargo ship enjoying the comforts of warm showers, hot meals and more spacious sleeping arrangements.  Yesterday we disembarked from the Island Ranger in Algeciras, Spain and the crew of the La Mondiale disbanded to make our way to our various homes. Despite the bitter disappointment of having to end the trip early, particularly when we were going so well, there is comfort in the fact that we have all made it back safe and sound.   

Before I sign off, I would like to sincerely thank all the people who have given me such personal and generous support before, during and after this expedition.  This has been a fantastic challenge and I am privileged to have been part of it.

    12 Jan 09  (Note  date i.e. Mon)

Day 8  - Just finished the first of the night time shifts .  Pretty tired now.  Progress has gone really well over the past few days Saturday 102 miles  Sunday 103 miles  Monday 113 miles.   Routines are well established now and we have 800 miles of the trip done.  Weather today increased and we had some very decent winds and swells in our  favour.  Hoping to take real advantage of this weather and put some decent miles on the clock over the next few days.  Yesterday at dawn we had a nice bit of company as a pod of dolphins swam with us for 10 minutes.  It’s amazing the things that capture your interest out here.  A ship or someone’s lost beach ball floating past is a big deal so the dolphins were a real treat! OK better get some shut eye.  Thank again for all the messages of support.  They are a big boost. Will be on again soon.

10 JAN 09

 Saturday  - We are now midway through Day 6 of the voyage and things are still progressing well thankfully.  Our average speed is 100 miles a day which is our target.  For the past 5 days we have been going along with the wind blowing side on to the boat i.e. no help to us so every mile rowed had to be done the hard way. Today thankfully, we got a bit of a lift and have arrived into the trade winds.  We now have a tail wind behind us and are hoping to exceed the 100 mile barrier today with this advantage. 

It doesn’t feel like a Saturday, mind you, it doesn’t really feel like any day.  Days are measured out by 6 rowing shifts each 2 hours long.  The ones in the day pass by relatively quickly with the amount of small jobs that need to be done e.g. food, arranging equipment, washing etc.  The night time shifts are a different story, much quieter and much longer.  Still, we have a target that we are all working towards so this helps to keep you focussed. 

I think the crew has found its routine now in terms of sleeping arrangements in the ’spacious’ cabins or use of the kettle to make meals.  We are in good form though particularly since getting the bit of a tail wind today. 

Thanks to all for the messages of support and encouragement.  As time is limited particularly on the laptop, I can’t reply to these but please keep them coming.  General messages of support get read out on deck and this always brings a cheer. OK, better go heat up some soup for the lunch.  These 2 hour off periods end way too quickly!  Thanks again for all the support and will be onto you again soon.

January 5th  Well, we got our welcome to the Atlantic with bang.  Started out on Sunday evening at 6.00pm and were straight into side on swells.  Cue,  much sea sickness.  In day 1 we managed to cover 109 miles and coming to the end of day 2 we are pushing hard to break the 100 mile marker for today as well. Weather conditions haven’t been terribly helpful as all the weather is from the side and not behind us. Our aim is to push south west for the next 800 miles until we pick up the prevailing trade wind which should shunt us along.  Until then however it’s heads down and hard work to get there. In all there are 6 rowing shifts per day.  During the day is fine with plenty of activity on board to keep us occupied. At night however it can be a long 2 hours. People are starting to settle into their routines now and shift changes and sleeping arrangements being worked out  to be most efficient for everyone. Blisters, tiredness and sore muscles have all made an appearance at this stage but the crew is in good spirits and working hard to reach our daily targets that will, weather and good fortune dependent, see us take the record.  However, it is only day 2 and there’s plenty more to come.  So far so good.

January 4th

The day has finally arrived. We are now ready to leave. We will be heading out at 6.00pm local time on the changing of the tide.  The weather forecast for the next few days is favourable with a tailwind to help us along although there is a bit of a swell there as well (at least I´ll know if these anti-seasickness tablets work!)

30 Dec 08

 Arrived in Gran Canaria on the 27th.  Most of the crew have been here for some time beforehand getting themselves and the boat ready.  Unfortunately due to some low pressure systems that are forecast for the next few days, our departure date has been pushed back until January 3rd.  As it currently stands we are due to leave from Mogan at 4.30pm on January 3rd.  Really looking forward to it now.  Everyone is prepared, eager and ready to go. December 31stAfter plenty of work on the boat over the past few days, the La Mondiale is now ready to go into the water and earlier on today, Miguel, the local ship crane operator, duly obliged.  We plan to take the boat out for a couple of hours this afternoon to test equipment and run through a few safety drills. Unfortunately, there is currently some confusion in customs over releasing some of our equipment ie the water making system and also some fuel cells which are needed to store power for when we cannot generate this on our own. Hopefully by Friday we will know whether we can receive this equipment in time and if the 3rd is still the departure date.  If not then it is looking like Monday.  A development we could have done without but everyone is happy to wait and give ourselves every chance of a successful and safe crossing.

‘Artemis Ocean Rowing 1′ The 2nd Atlantic Ocean ‘Trade Winds’ Expedition

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