HMS OARDACIOUS
Matt, Dan, Rob, Ian and Mike's World's Toughest Row 2023
Fundraising for Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
Story
On 13 December 2023 at 08.30 UK time Matt, Dan, Ian, Rob and Mike started
their row of the Atlantic raising money for the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity.
This ultra endurance event is across 3,000 miles of the unforgiving Atlantic in a 10 metre boat. They will row for 144 minutes then rest for 96 minutes and repeat this routine day-in, day-out from commencement to completion. This extreme challenge will test them mentally and physically, technically and emotionally.
Matt, Dan, Ian, Rob and Mike - not just as submariners but as fathers and partners - want to help shine a light on the challenge of service at sea. They will be thousands of miles from home with no one to help them but themselves - just like the sailors of the Royal Navy. They will look to meet the challenge with the camaraderie and commitment that are the hallmarks of the Navy but do so in a way that can be shared - to give a glimpse of the challenge to all.
Their row provides a metaphor for what the sailors of the Royal Navy and Submarine Service endure on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis.
Keeping watches day-in, day-out they carry all their food and spare parts. They conduct their own repairs and make their drinking water from the sea. Rather than the power of a reactor (a 'star in a box') they will draw their power from our Sun via solar panels to provide electricity to the navigation and communications equipment. They will have to treat each other's wounds, be they physical or mental. They will comfort each other in their claustrophobic isolation. They will pick each other up when they stumble. They will succeed together and be reunited with their loved ones once again.
Where Matt, Dan, Rob, Ian and Mike can share very openly this challenge over the winter those at sea on ship and submarine are often serving in secret, hidden from view. This makes their duty even more mentally challenging for not just those at sea but the ones they leave behind, their family and friends.
If you would like to support those who serve but from time-to-time need help with the challenges of service please follow our crossing and we would be extremely grateful if you would like to donate here with all funds going to the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity in support of mental health support.
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