Day 1
Over the last couple of days, the Roxy Atlantic Ocean 2024-25 crew has arrived in Tenerife from all corners of the UK, Seattle, Argentina and Antigua. Last night we met as a full crew, over a couple of beers and pizza, generously hosted by Rannoch.
This morning it was time to meet Roxy down on the dock. She was put in the boat crane, and skipper Neil and co- skipper Louise oversaw her being lowered into the dock and taken to her mooring.
The crew were allocated watches and tasks, and we unpacked and repacked the boat. My job is to be quartermaster of the aft cabin, so now I know where everything lives in that cabin.
Once the boat was repacked and we had all been allocated and fitted with our safety harnesses, PLBs (personal locator beacons) and life jackets, it was time for some rowing.
We all got a chance to row in beautiful conditions and the boat was cruising along at a good speed, averaging nearly 3 knots into the wind and 4 knots with the wind behind us. There are clearly some strong, talented rowers on board, with rowing coach and master rower, Martin, being in stroke position at the start, setting us off in a fantastic rythym (the 'stroke' rower sits in the starboard number one seat and the rest of the crew matches their pace).
The crew has come together really well and the atmosphere is very positive. There is already plenty of banter and nonsense - as I write this, Ian is giving Johnny a swimming lesson and talking about 'mature swingers' which is apparently swimming terminology...
Day 2
A slightly earlier start today for an 8.30am row. We covered about 12km in 2.5hr with 6 rowers up. This week is a really good opportunity not only to practice rowing together as a crew, but also to harden our hands and settle our stomachs, which will hopefully make the start of the crossing more comfortable.
Whilst we were on the oars, Neil and Louise spent some time with each crew member, talking about our current feelings and our expectations, hopes and anxieties for the row ahead.
Back on the dock, we had a demonstration of the para anchor. This is pretty much exactly as it sounds - a parachute that acts as an anchor. It can be deployed to prevent us from being blown off course when weather conditions are too strong to row against.
This afternoon we had a fantastic training session with Dawn Smith of Row Aurora, predominantly covered navigation, looking at how to plot our course on paper charts, and what we might do in the unlikely event of failure of the electronic navigation equipment.
The difference between true North and magnetic North was explained, and how this affects the heading needed. We also looked at the difference between the boat's heading and the heading over the ground, with the latter being the important one for staying on course.
We moved on to viewing the predominant wind, current and wave maps, and how we would manage our course to optimise the positive conditions and minimise the negative ones (at least in theory)! Apparently, there is a saying that on an Atlantic crossing east to west at this latitude, you head south "until the butter melts" (i.e. the weather gets warm), and then head west to take advantage of the prevailing winds.
There was lots of discussion around how to manage the boat efficiently in all sorts of weather conditions. Dawn also regaled us with tales of her crossings, both in Roxy and smaller Rannoch boats. Her enthusiasm and passion (combined with some coffee and cake) made for an afternoon that flew by.
Day 3
Today started with a 12km row, again in beautiful conditions. Skipper and co skipper, Neil and Louise, were off the oars and spent time working out logistics and testing equipment 'in action'.
As we will be rowing with 5 people on the oars at a time, we worked out how to store the unused 6th oar quickly and easily in any one of the vacant 4 rowing positions. The watermakers (2 small desalination plants) were run and checked. Dave will be helping with the watermaker so this was an opportunity for him to develop his knowledge of the system.
Back on shore, Neil, Louise, Jim and I met with Terry Daniels from Range Global Services, our telecommunications provider. Terry gave us a very informative session on the comms equipment on board - satellite phones, a Garmin InReach, an Iridium GO and the BGAN. We have several different options to provide ample contingency.
This afternoon was First Aid training with Dawn Smith of Aurora Sea School. We covered everything from more major incidents and how they might be handled at sea, to the mundane (but much more likely) sore bottoms and sea sickness. We are lucky to have a wealth of first aid and medical knowledge on board, as well as an extensive first aid kit.
The last structured element of the day was a whole crew Q&A. The main topics covered were personal hygiene, managing changeovers, resolving conflict and communication with the outside world. It was a good opportunity for the seasoned rowers to share best practice and their personal experiences.
The crew has come together so well in Tenerife. Everyone is determined to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity, and to look after each other.
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Day 4
Today was sea survival day! The morning was spent learning the theory: the priorities of survival are protection, location, water and food. We covered emergency equipment on board, distress signals, capsize, life rafts and rescue at sea. It was quite sobering as we learnt from previous incidents, although we are reassured by the exceptional safety record of Rannoch boats.
The afternoon had a very different tone - practical sea survival! We refitted our on-board personal safety equipment and looked again at the boat's safety equipment. Then the (serious) fun began in the water.
We practiced getting in the life raft dry from the dock. Then it was time to inflate our life jackets and learn how to buddy up in the water and swim in crocodiles. We made sure we could climb into the life raft from the water, then practiced being dragged into it as casualties. Dignity was certainly not preserved!
The session finished with a team race of swimming as a crocodile to the life raft, getting in and shouting the raft mantra of
CUT (release the life raft from the boat), STREAM (let out the drogue), CLOSE (the life raft opening) and MAINTAIN (the conditions in the raft and health of those on board).
Eduardo, Roxy's pet crocodile, was fully involved, but somewhat concerned his claws might puncture the raft.
It was a very serious subject but we had so much fun in the water. A huge thank you must go to Dawn Smith for leading the last 3 days. It has been a superb training programme.
Day 5
Today started with practicing shift changes on board the boat - safe to say the practice was required! Hopefully we will have mastered them after the 350 or so shift changes that we will do during the crossing!
We also used this time to get really comfortable with the clipping in system we use. We have three clips - one is attached to us, one to the boat at all times, with the third clip enabling us to move around without ever becoming detached from the boat.
We sorted and packed various bits of kit and food, ensuring there is a variety of flavours in each cabin.
Nicola's took our official crew photographs, and yet again no one could resist the chance for a bit of silliness.
Lunch was more expedition food, then we went for a short row and practiced another man overboard drill. It is sobering to see how quickly the person overboard ends up a significant distance from the boat if they are not clipped on, but the procedures we learnt worked well, and our skipper was soon safely recovered.
Rowing back to the marina, we realised that next time we get into the boat to row, we will be starting our crossing. I think we are all itching to get going, yet for some of us (like me!) the scale of what we are about to undertake probably hasn't really sunk in yet.
Tomorrow is a rest day and a chance to tie up any loose ends and for some of us to spend time with friends and family who have come to see us off. I suspect for a lot of us it will also be a day to spend some time in our own heads and prepare mentally.
No blog tomorrow so next time you hear from me, we will be underway!
Meet our 2024-25 crew:
Row 1 L to R:
Skipper: Neil Blackeby
Retired firefighter who can’t say no to an adventure at sea. This will be my third Atlantic crossing (one by sail), and fifth ocean rowing attempt with another already in the pipeline. Doing it while I still can!
Co Skipper: Louise Brown
Sailed across the Atlantic and back in ‘96 and 2000. Rowed Roxy on her first Atlantic crossing in ’21 - best 42 days of my life. I love horses and dogs. Mother of three boys, granny of 3 sweeties.
Row 2 L to R:
Brian Dykas
From Seattle, USA. Aerospace engineer and aspiring astronaut and explorer. Love the outdoors and being on the water; this will be my first ocean crossing. Excited for this trip, but wary as the last time I spent 40+ days in isolation, I emerged on 9-Mar-2020 to the world just retreating into isolation!
Kitty Hamilton
From England. Farmer, amateur event rider and mum of 4. Part of the Roxy North Sea crossing in 2024 and Roxy GB row in 2021. Loves an adventure. Blogger for this crossing.
Johnny Bakewell
Can’t sit still for long. Looking to appreciate how big this world really is by rowing an ocean with people who already know the answer to the question, why?
Row 3 L to R:
Martin Carosso
Argentinean, Buenos Aires, Don Torcuato. 36 years old. Teacher / Professor / Athlete / Entrepreneur. 13 years Rowing Coach. Lover of nature and challenges. When they ask me why? I answer; Why not? When they ask me for what? I answer; To be me. Lightness, Gratitude, Enjoyment, Love, Teamwork.
Damian McCafferty
I'm 45 and live in the North-West of England. Trained as a psychiatric nurse after leaving the military. I am currently describing this trip as an attempt to be windswept and interesting, rather than a midlife crisis. I've always been a sucker for a good cause and an adventure, so the opportunity to row an ocean to support Claire House Children’s Hospice was too good of an idea to let pass.
Dave Coles
Retired pilot, 18 years in the Navy, 23 years in the airlines. Life long sailor. This will be my 4th Atlantic crossing - 3 sailing, 1st row. Now I want to give something back and do something useful for charity.
Row 4 L to R:
Ian Tyers
English, 60 yrs old; swims oceans……. Tenerife to Antigua is too far ….. so will row it instead, with help from new friends! Why? ‘Coz I don’t know if I can but will have to once started.
James Nye
Retired police officer who decided getting blisters from rowing was more fun than working again. Looking forward to the mental and physical challenge of 40 days at sea.
Our 2024-25 Roxy Atlantic crew met up at Ye Olde White Harte pub in Burnham on Crouch on the evening of Sunday 1st September. There was immediate rapport and good humour as they talked about why they had signed up for the row, and their hopes for the upcoming training week, designed to prepare them to take on the Atlantic Ocean.
On Monday morning, they assembled on the pontoon for an introduction to Roxy and some great photos were captured before they set off. After discussing the safety aspects of offshore rowing, how to stay attached to the boat, and where to find food and water, they set off for their first row together. Departing at 1100, they set off up the River Crouch and rowed in shifts until 1600, taking it in turns to row non-stop for 3 hours. They got used to each other’s rowing styles and made good progress. They practised rowing with and against the tide, covering a total of 35km. The evening was spent at The Ship pub, comparing blisters and their 'ape index' (ratio of arm span to height). A good first day on Roxy!
On Tuesday the crew are in the Roxy yurt, discussing blister treatment before another day of rowing. White Spirit is proving effective but painful! The sun is shining as they set off on Roxy at 1100, heading out of the River Crouch against the incoming tide. They practice MOB drills and seat changeovers every 2 hours, as well as preparing meals on board. They had a surprise visit from Charlie (Founder of Rannoch) in a RIB - it was good to say a (rather damp) hello! They covered 28km, exploring the mouth of the River Crouch and the River Roach, rowing with and against the fast running tide. They finished at 1600 and after a review of the day at Ye Olde White Harte pub, thoughts turned to what to pack for the 48 hour row, starting on Wednesday. It's an opportunity to try out their kit and find out how they are going to sleep eat and row as a team. Exciting!
On Wednesday they set off, in a westerly direction then turned north up the east coast, headed for the Suffolk coast. This gave the crew a wonderful chance to get into the 3 on, 3 off rowing regime, learn to cook on board and become familiar with life in the cabins. The weather was kind, morale was high.
An interesting night row on Thursday from the River Blackwater back to Burnham-on-Crouch! After leaving at 1930 on the last of the ebb tide and powering down the river for 90 mins with 6 rowers, the crew then went into their shift pattern of 4 rowers, rowing 2 hours on, 2 hours off. Not too much wind but the tide was driving Roxy north and she needed to go south! Everyone put their backs into rowing but there were long periods when the boat speed was 0 knots - a real perseverance test.
Eventually, at about 0530, the crew turned Roxy into the Slipway channel and started the long approach to the River Crouch. However, the tide was not co-operating. Through a foggy dawn, they rowed with boat speeds of 0 - 1 knot, barely able to see the navigation lights on the river, until about 0700, when the tide slacked off, and they started to make progress.
Charlie visited them in the RIB at 0900 to simulate a man overboard drill which the crew handled in a calm, effective manner. They covered the last few miles at good speed and arrived at the Marina at 1015 to a warm welcome from Charlie, Nicola and Quentin - the bacon butties were so welcome after 2 days of expedition food! Hot showers, coffee and a de-brief before they were on their way - with the foundations of an Atlantic crew firmly in place.
Thank you to skippers Neil and Chris, for a memorable and enjoyable experience. They rowed 167 km (104 miles) in 5 days, and whilst their bodies felt every bit of the journey, this crew developed a new and exciting level of resilience in rowing Roxy as a team.
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