Hands on the mend albeit a tad tender!!

Dear all, it is with great disappointment that due to damage to my rudder sustained in the extremely bad weather that has hit the Canary Islands over the past few weeks, I have had to retire from my row. It is difficult to describe how I feel at the moment, especially for the many people that have spent many hours helping behind the scenes.The boat was unfortunately damaged in the rescue so I am arranging repairs and other logistics. I have yet to make a decision about the future but I would just like to thank everyone for their donations and also all the messages of support. I will give an account of the row in the near future. Regards Anthony

I came home yesterday morning at about 1130hrs to a flashing answer phone with a message from Anthony timed at 0930, asking me to contact him. This was not our normal routine so I was worried that a problem had arisen out at sea. I tried in vain to make contact using a normal text message and tried to call the sat-phone with no luck. It was not until 1330 hrs that Anthony made contact. Feeling very downhearted Anthony explained that during the extremely bad weather that he had been experiencing, the rudder had been ripped from its fixings on the boat and was hanging on by its control lines. It was now obvious that without the ability to steer the boat the challenge would have to be aborted. With a heavy heart, Anthony had to make a decision as to how to contact the Spanish authorities for assistance. Apart from the rudder crashing against the side of the boat, there was no additional danger. The decision was made that rather than set off the emergency rescue devise, I would contact Falmouth Coastguard on his behalf, and they would be able to contact the Spanish equivalent and send assistance. Anthony’s position at that time was 26deg19minN 19deg02minW with a large swell affecting the boat. The parachute anchor had been out for almost three days. At Falmouth, Coastguard, Gerry Anderson, took down all the details and passed the information on to their colleagues in Madrid. The Spanish authorities immediately despatched a boat from Tenerife to pick Anthony up. So far as we are aware, they made contact with Anthony and picked him up at 0200hrs this morning. They are due to arrive back in the Canaries at about 2000hrs tonight. I will update this diary as soon as we have any more information.
BW (Land based co-ordinator).

The weather blew up rough again last night the waves are 20 – 30 feet high breaking over the boat, at least force 6. The parachute anchor is making loud groaning noises as the rope stretches. Its impossible to check the condition of the rudder in case a wave breaks over the boat at the wrong time and fills the pod with water. Access for inspection is through the forward storage pod. The position of the boat is 26deg16minN 19deg00minW. There was no chance of any hot food today, only bottled water and biscuits from the ration packs. Anthony tells me that he is having to bail out the boat because sometimes when the waves come over the boat, the scuppers (thats the holes that let the water out) are too small to drain the water from the waist of the boat. At 1345 today another Tanker made a brief appearance it was the Maersk Maya bound for Lagos. Anthony is coping really well with the conditions but is fed up with the lack of progress. What we need is some positive thought from you all and get this weather moving in the right direction. I have given Anthony all the good wishes that you sent to him via me and I am sure that it makes a difference to his morale. It would be nice to be able to give him some good news on the donation front because that is why he is undertaking this challenge.
BW (Land based co-ordinator)

At 1825hrs the boat’s position is reported as 26deg09minsN 019deg09minsW. The parachute anchor has been out for two days solid now. Last night the wind was blowing in excess of 25 knots with waves coming over the boat, rolling around all over the place. Anthony says he feels like he is stuck in a washing machine on a cold wash!!! The rudder was making some groaning noises but, in these weather conditions, Anthony says he feels lucky that it is still attached to the boat. There was no sleep last night, listening to the ipod is about all that can be done to pass the time. Anthony managed to cook up some rice with chopped tomatoes but, half way through that meal, a wave broke over the boat and completely soaked him and his food. He tells me he carried on eating it anyway (waste not want not). There was no rowing again today with all the wind and waves in the wrong direction, hopefully the parachute is slowing down the rate of drift. Time passes very slowly when there is not much to do. Anthony saw two ships today. The first at 1045, was a cargo ship, “The Arneborg” bound for Flushing and, the second, at 1604, “The Madrid Spirit”, a tanker heading North. It rained a lot today, but in the afternoon the skies lightened to allow some blue sky and sunshine to peek through.
BW (Land based co-ordinator).

Nice and calm in the Marina.

Friday, 29th January 2010 at 1900hrs. Position 26deg04minN 019deg24minW. Very little distance covered today. Big waves breaking over the boat. Very difficult to row. No rain, but very uncomfortable nonetheless. Anthony managed to cook and eat a vegetable biriani and rice with a lemon pudding for afters – very nice. No shipping within sight today. Sleeping on and off and sorting out the admin on the boat. Anthony managed to send a few emails, but it’s been quite difficult to type on the laptop in the conditions.
Today at 1830hrs. Position now 26deg07minN 019deg17minW. Looks like he’s back to the same position as he was last week – very frustrating! Parachute anchor out all day. Only about force 3 as far as the wind is concerned, but wind and waves in the wrong direction. Waves still breaking over the boat and making life very uncomfortable, very difficult to row. No hot food today, biscuits and jam from the ration packs have had to suffice! Still no shipping today within sight, which is good news. Anthony mentioned that when he left La Gomera, after the first couple of nights, the boat was surrounded with an escort of dolphins, which was a very heartwarming experience! The weather looks like it may change and move the wind and waves in the right direction within the next few days, here’s hoping …. .
BW (Land based co-ordinator)

Anthony gave me a quick call from the satphone this morning at 1010hrs. The weather had been rough all night with force 5 to 6 winds. The parachute anchor had been out all night. The visibility is good but rain clouds are covering the sky with just the odd glimpse of blue beneath. A couple of days ago a passing ship gave Anthony a weather forecast saying that it was about to clear up, no such luck as yet. Looking at the positions that Anthony has been reporting over this past week he has travelled South but not very far West which is where he needs be. This is frustrating but in a rowing boat there is very little that can be done to overcome natures fury. Anthony reports his position as 26deg01minsN 19deg27minsW. Food today has been limited to ration packs, apparently the fruit cereal bars are very tasty. The amount of spray coming over the side of the boat makes it impossible to use the gas ring which is mounted outside on a bulkhead above where the life raft is stored. Anthony hopes that the fund raising is progressing and is always saying how generous people can be for a good cause.
BW (land based co ordinator).

Position today at 2000 hrs 26deg00minsN 19deg36minsW . The wind direction changed again today moving around and coming from the South and increasing in speed. At 1035 this morning Anthony deployed the parachute anchor which does a fair job of steadying the boat, but is a real drama to get back on board and re stow in its bag. After about an hour it was brought back in but deployed again at 1230hrs. A good hot meal of hot porridge with honey made a difference to wellbeing with the gas cooking ring working really well.
Last night was not good for sleeping with the boat being tossed about quite a bit and Anthony was feeling tired before even starting to row. The weather was described as wall to wall cloud and rain. The waterproof jacket donated by Musto is being well used and has been great. Another cargo ship sighted today The Ikevana on route to Brazil. It seems Anthony is in the slow lane of the motorway. Even with rowing all day and part of the night not much distance was covered in the last 24 hours but Anthony is hopeful that he will pick up the currents that move towards Antigua.
BW (Land based co ordinator).

Position now 26deg03minN 019deg38minW the weather cleared up this afternoon allowing a glimpse of the sun which allowed the batteries to be topped up. No food until this evening a delicious meal of Tuna Lasagne with tomatoes and onions, with the obligatory green tea. Anthony wanted me to tell you all that he has learned to complete all his ablutions and and catering needs during the daylight hours. He says that at night it is pitch black and quite eerie with only yourself as company. I asked him if he has started to talk to himself and he said he always does anyway!!! There is about a 1.5 metre swell at the moment and even that is enough to roll him around in the cabin pod knocking him against the sides of the boat and sending things all over the place. Anthony has managed a conversation with the electrician and will need to perform some maintenance and general fault finding on the power management system. There is annoying intermittent fault that needs some attention. The rowing continued as normal 4 hours on, a break and 4 hours on again. For those of you interested his backside is still very sore but the cream works wonders!!! His hands are getting tougher but the joints are a bit stiff. There is still plenty of shipping in the general area mostly on its was to Las Palmas. Anthony says that he is hoping for a reasonable sleep tonight and will not have to read to wind down.
BW (Land based co ordinator)

Anthony’s rowing day started at first light this morning with just a drink of bottled water. A routine has been put in place, pretty much 4 hours on then a break for some food and 4 hours back rowing again. This continues until late maybe 2300hrs or later. The weather eased again today less swell and the wind dropped. The worst thing is still no sun to power the batteries which is now starting to be a concern. Not a bad day as far as food is concerned ration packs of omelette and baked beans, washed down with green tea!!!
Anthonys position at 2100hrs was 26deg16minsN 19deg23minsW. The satphone has turned out to be one of the most useful items of gear on board, apart from general calls Anthony is able to talk with the Electrician that fitted the GPS and AIS safety gear for maintenance and troubleshooting. Apart from being a bit tired due to the irregular sleep patterns Anthony is in good spirits still waiting for the sun and some good luck.
BW (Land based co ordinator).