News
Home Sweet Home!
Tuesday 24th June 2008
Hundreds of family, friends and well wishers were on St Mary's Quay to welcome home the Scilly Boys who arrived standing proud on the bridge of the Scillonian III; the epic journey finally at an end.
A picture says a thousand words....
All photos by Adam White.
Standing proud on the bridge of the Scillonian III Final disembarkation and they are back!
Hi Daddy!
Hugs and smiles all round.
Team Scilly Boys - an amazing effort by all!
Back On Dry Land!
Sunday 22nd June 2008
The Scilly Boys are now safely back on dry land in Gibraltar. Puffin and Francis Moore from European Pensions Management, Amanda Claridge and Simon Chalk from Woodvale Challenge, Alec Collyer from BBC Spotlight and Jim Lyddon from the Isles of Scilly, boarded the Gulf Grace at just after 18:00 hours (local time 16:00 GMT) to meet with the Scilly Boys and the crew. Shortly after 19:00 (local time 17:00 GMT) they took the boys back down the ladder that they had scaled in mountainous seas and took them back to dry land.
Once again we would like to thank the crew of the Gulf Grace for bringing the Scilly Boys back safely and also to all the authorities in Gibraltar who ensured the smooth transition off the vessel and into the country.
Tim & Jim - just glad your safe! Disembarkation from the Gulf Grace
A final farewell to the Gulf Grace Thank you!
The Home-coming gets closer!
Friday 20th June 2008
They're Coming Home!
The Scilly Boys are flying back to the UK from Gibraltar on Monday 23rd June and will be catching the Scillonian back to St Mary's on Tueday 24th June.
The Scillonian leaves Penzance at 09:15 and is due to dock in St Mary's at Noon.
See you there!!!
Team 'Gulf Grace' photo.
Looking relaxed - 1st Post Rescue Photo
Wednesday 18th June 2008
From left Tim, Chris, Joby & Wayne aboard the Gulf Grace heading to Gibralter.
Latest Update
Tuesday 17th June 2008
New Destination - Gibraltar
It has been confirmed that the Scilly Boys are now heading towards Gibraltar instead of Amsterdam and are expected to dock at 00:00 Saturday 21st / Sunday 22nd June.
A Glimmer of Hope
One of the Argos beacons onboard the 'Scilly Boys'has resumed polling. What this means is that the boat has either re-righted or the beacon has floated free.
Both Falmouth Coastguard and the United States Coastguard have been provided with this information in order to warn vessels in the area.
We would like to thank Ocean Rowing Society International and CLS Argos for their assistance in providing this information.
A Huge Thank You From the 4ScillyBoys
Monday 16th June 2008
Firstly a huge thank you to the entire crew of the oil tanker ‘Gulf Grace’ who done an outstanding job in rescuing us and manouvering the 228 mtr ship in alongside our raft on 2 occasions, this was in 40 ft seas and 45+kts of wind. We are also indebted to both Falmouth Coastguard and the United States Coastguard for organizing the rescue operation.
We are sorry to friends and family that the anxiety caused was not outweighed by the successful completion of our record attempt. The desire to complete the crossing for the Islands was the same desire that gave us the drive to survive in those conditions throughout the night. The messages of support were a constant reminder of why we needed to survive our ordeal, and make it back home to our families.
Again, we are all in good health, and receiving first class treatment from the entire crew of the Gulf Grace, and Gulf Energy Maritime.
See You Soon Wayne, Tim, Chris and Joby
Challenge Ends - Official Press Release Follows.
Saturday 14th June 2008
The Saddest of News
It is with deep regret that we need to inform you that the Scilly Boys challenge has come to an abrupt end.
Details are still coming through and will be posted as soon as they become available, the following release holds the basic information. Above all, and most importantly the guys are safe and well.
We would like to give our special thanks to both Falmouth Coastguard and the United States Coastguard as well as the crew of the rescue teams involved, for their prompt and professional service which has led to the teams safe rescue.
US COASTGUARD SEARCH FOR SCILLY BOYS
Saturday 14th June 2008. Concern was raised for the four crew aboard the 29 foot Atlantic Ocean rowing Boat ‘Scilly Boys’ after Falmouth Coastguard received a iridium call at 01:00am BST from one of the crew members. The call indicated that the boat had capsized, 420 nautical miles east of Cape Cod and all four crew were in the two cabins.
Chris Jenkins, Tim Garratt, Wayne Davey and Joby Newton were attempting to row across the North Atlantic from New York, United States of America to the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (3,100 nautical miles). The team had left Liberty Landing Marina on the 1 June 2008 in a bid to break the longest standing ocean rowing record set in 1896 by Harboe and Samuelson of 55 days.
The United States Coast Guard, Norfolk, Virginia Rescue Coordination Centre, coordinated the search, a merchant vessel ‘Gulf Grace’ was diverted to the rowing boats last known position and a search aircraft (Hercules) was scrambled to assist in the search.
James Instance, Watch Manager, Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, says:
“We have been assisting the US Coast Guard in any way that we can. We were anxious to receive a position update for the boat as we last spoke with the crew at 01:00am and requested that they should activate their beacon, which we picked up only once at 02:20am. The weather conditions on scene were north north-east winds 7 – 8 with a 3 –4 metre seas and poor visibility.
The Crew were located by the aircraft and taken aboard the ‘Gulf Grace’ at 08:00am – we understand all four are relatively safe and well – suffering slight hypothermia.”
Simon Chalk, Woodvale Challenge Ltd, Comments:
‘We are hugely relieved that the guys have been rescued and are safe and well, so many thousands of people from around the world have watched their epic challenge and will share in our sadness that their voyage has been cut short’
Euan Rodger on behalf of key sponsor Tresco Estate added 'We are all very relieved that Chris, Tim, Joby and Wayne are safe and well. Their challenge captured the imagination of the world and it is very sad indeed that it has come to an early end. We look forward to giving the four men a rousing welcome back, here in the Isles of Scilly non the less!'
End.
Notes to editors:
For further/background information of this North Atlantic Row 2008 visit the following sites:
Woodvale Challenge www.woodvale-challenge.com
The crew’s website is www.row4home
For more information please contact Woodvale Challenge Ltd
+44 (0) 1364 644432
+44 (0) 7864 288607
+44 (0) 7864 288609
info@woodvale-challenge.com
Blog Updates from the 4ScillyBoys Now Available
Wednesday 11th June 2008
Periodic updates from the crew are now available on the official race web site. Go to www.woodvale-challenge.com and scroll down below the position updates.
Frantic weekend in New York culminating in the start of a heroic journey!
Wednesday 4th June 2008
By Euan Rodger
It was a great privilege to be in New York for the 'sending off party'. Andrew May, Chairman of The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group and I ended up on the same flight out of Bristol and arrived to a very hot and humid New York, mid afternoon Friday 30th May. We headed straight to the Liberty Landing Marina, Jersey City to catch up with the guys. We found them hard at work in their final preperations on the boat. I had carried, rather nervously through customs, three boxes of NATO approved rations to supplement the food stuffs purchased state side that week. These were gratefully received and immediatley stowed away on board. The boat was looking magnificant and the guys were in great spirits. Andrew and I set off for Manhattan to meet up with sponsors Francis & Puffin Moore, the BBC's Alex Collyer and Island Parish's Aiden. A few cold beers then ensued!
Saturday saw a full day of preperations and all the final thoughts and plans finally coming together. 'Ginger' Jim Lyddon and Vickie Heaney on hand as ever to ensure that nothing was forgotten or left to chance. In the evening we were all very kindly entertained with a roof garden cocktail party hosted by Jamie and Frances Dorrien-Smith at their Central Park Appartment. The guys, arriving fashionably late, had a chance meeting with musician Moby, who was enthralled by the challenge ahead. However timing thwarted another impromtu celebrity chat, as Al Gore had just left the party next door and we were convinced he would have approved of the carbon neutral Atlantic crossing! The guys were inspired by the views across Central Park, we were inspired by them. Thanks to Jamie and Frances for a great send off. New York's finest steak house, Smith & Wollensky, was the next stop and the guys made easy pickings of the best and biggest that New York could offer. The final good nights sleep was beckoning and the guys slipped away quietly, thoughts turning to the momentous day ahead.
Sunday 1st June - Departure Day! 08.00hrs... and New York had laid on a perect day as a small crowd gathered at the Liberty Landing Marina. You could smell the expectation in the air. Simon Chalk, MD of Woodvale, and a veteran Ocean rower himslef, was giving a 'masterclass' about the boat and its amazing array of kit, to a gathered and enthralled audience. The rest of us soaked up the morning sun and anticipated the arrival of the 4 ScillyBoys. Wayne, Chris, Tim and Joby arrived as one to hollars and clapping and embarked on their final preparations. Following emotional farewells all round they left dry land behind and to the hooter, poignantly sounded by Nathan Woodcock's sister Paula, they made the first strokes of their intrepid journey. We all jumped aboard two boats, very kindly organised by the marina, and motored out to continue to wish the guys well and to see them through the official start line near the Statue of Liberty. An amazing 3 hours then followed, as we were all stunned by the 'film set' backdrops of Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and in awe of the 4ScillyBoys. The guys were amazingly calm, soaking up the sun and immediately settling into a smooth rowing rythum. The BBC and Island Parish ensuring that these memories would last forever on film. As the guys neared the Verrazano Bridge we all waved a final farewell, sounded a three cheers and wished a bon voyage. Totally inspiring for all!
Final preperations! Francis Moore, Chris J & Joby Andrew May & Frances Dorrien-Smith
Moby...or Wayne? Dinner at Smith & Wollensky Simon Chalk explains all
Team arrival... departure day A very relaxed Wayne & Joby Team Boss 'Ginger' Jim bids farewell
Fully kitted out Scilly Boys Bon Voyage - the first strokes. Manhattan backdrop
An ever watchfull eye from 'Ginger' Jim Coastguard escort NY style..yes a gun! Passing the official start line
Dwarfed by the Staten Island Ferry Fading into the distnace, The Statue of Liberty Row, row, row your boat.........
A wave goodbye with the Verrazzano Bridge just behind...see you in Scilly soon!
4Scilly Boys breeze through Heathrow and have now arrived in New York..but where is the boat?!
28th May 2008
After all making our way to London we met up at Heathrow mid-day on Saturday, and were met by a photographer for a few shots (photo not bottle) outside the airport, and Simon and Amanda from Woodvale-Challenge who were traveling with us to oversee the boats docking and Customs arrangements in New York. It seemed we had all arrived not only with passports and tickets, but on time and at the right airport ..... what could go wrong! We didn't realise that we still had no accomodation organised in New York, but a quick phone call to Dr Vic sorted that out - thanks Vic!
We had brought from St Marys our new set of race logo'd 'Crew' jackets which had been very kindly donated to us by Francis and Puffin from 'European Pensions Management', in addition to the very generous sponsorship contribution that they have already made.
We boarded our flight on 'Kuwait Airways' mid afternoon and took off, only for Simon to discover to his horror that this was a 'dry flight'. Of course non of the rest of us noticed at all ;-)
After landing at JFK we found we had filled in the wrong immigration forms on the plane and were directed to a booth to complete the correct forms - of which they had run out of - other than those remaining which were in Spanish. Confident in Chris' Spanish language skills (his total ability being able to quote 'my Grandmother has an escalator', and 'may I have two beers') we attemted to fill out the forms. We were joined by a bearded gent who didnt speak a word of english who assumed that we knew what we were doing and wouldnt let us go until he had finished copying our forms. Not sure if he convinced immigration that he was from the Isles of Scilly, but we got in ok!
After a quick shuttle bus trip we arrived at our hotel for the night, and after a walk around the block for a beer and a pizza we were ready to crash.
The following day we learned that the boat had still not cleared customs, so we had a walk around Manhatton, visiting Maddison Square Gardens, the Empire State Building and Time Square. After taking in some sights we headed back to the Hotel to check out to leave for the West side of the Hudson river to find somewhere to stay which would be closer to where the boat was due to be delivered. We got a cab to the Financial District where we caught a water taxi accross to New Jersey, and met up with Amanda and Simon at the Liberty Yacht Club for an early afternoon beer in the sun. Here we discovered that as well as no boat, the freeze dried food order which was to be delivered to there earlier that week had also not arrived. Futher to that it was a bank holiday weekend and nobody coud be contacted until Tuesday. After serious consultation and discussions we felt the best way forward would be and afternoon of alchohol consumption! We were joined by a former ocean rower Roy Finley and his family for the afternoon who had driven down three hours from Shelter Island to offer advice on departure plans etc as well as providing further equipment that we needed for the trip. A great guy who has already helped us out immensely.
At the end of the afternoon we located and checked in to a hotel nearby in Jersey City. We didn't realise how much accomodation costs here, although it was the cheapest we could find, it came as quite a shock!
We went out for something to eat in a nearby town of Hoboken, and later met up with Simon and Amanda who took us to a local blues bar with an interesting landlord (so he claimed) mad as a hatter. We then headed around town for a bar tour and eventualy found a taxi back about 2ish...leaving Hoboken with a very depleted stock of Jack Daniels and Vodka!!
World Pilot Gig Championship Weekend - unveiling of the new 'race' ready boat, 4ScillyBoys blessed, range of clothing sold to raise funds & new sponsor attends and hands over cheque.
5th May 2008
The recent World Pilot Gig Championship was a fitting event to launch the latest activities for 4ScillyBoys. The boat, re-branded with its 'race livery', drew many admirers and was parked up on the main quay on St. Mary's all weekend prior to being loaded onto the Scillonian III on Tuesday to begin its journey to New York.
Saturday morning saw the launch of the new 4ScillyBoys clothing collection (see pictures below), being sold to raise awareness and funds for the challenge. By Sunday afternoon 90% of the stock had been sold. More is on its way and will be sold across Scilly up to the end of the challenge - main outlets will be the TIC, Buccabu Bike Hire and The Foredeck 49° on St.Mary's. On Tresco The Island Hotel, New Inn and Tresco Abbey Garden and on Bryher at Hell Bay.
Sunday saw The Reverend David Easton, in a moving ceremony and in front of a large crowd of well wishers, family and friends bless the boat and pay tribute to the 4 men. Island Parish and the BBC were on hand to record the weekends events.
New Sponsors Francis & Puffin Moore of European Pensions Management and their son Archie attended all weekend to support their key donation to the challenge. They met the crew for the first time and handed over their generous cheque to Euan Rodger from Tresco Estate. Euan commented ''. All the events this weekend have made the challeneg very real. Many thanks to the crew for giving up of their time, Joby & Tim were also rowing in the Championships, to ensure that the 1,000's of visitors to Scilly were able to connect with their enourmous commitment to this great challenge. We are endebted to Francis & Puffin for not only their very generous contribution but also their infectious enthusiasm for this event''.
.
4ScillyBoys - Joby, Wayne, Tim & Chris. 'Team' 4ScillyBoys
Francis, Puffin & Archie Moore pictured with Euan Scilly Boys ready to begin her journey.
Rodger.
The Rev. David Easton with the crew and sponsors The boat and just some of the kit!
after the blessing.
...and the journey begins!
The team are very pleased to announce the "4Scilly Boys" transatlantic boat is close to completion and will be ready for its journey to the New York start line.
25th April 2008
Chris,Tim, Joby and Wayne have been to the American Embassy in London to apply and obtain their visas they needed to row out of New York Harbour.Taking advantage of their time away from the islands, they collected some vital equipment for the boat, but not the 1500 or so freeze dried expedition meals, they now find can not be exported into America. This 3/4 tonne stock of food will be purchased state side, and guess will be a lot of fun trying to fit it on the boat!, with a self supporting row you need to take everything you need for the journey."Scilly Boys" Atlantic boat will start on its way to the New York start line on May 6th when it leaves the Islands on board the ferry "Scillonian III" to Penzance .The boat will then travel to Liverpool for a departure on the ship "Atlantic Companion" on the 10th May,eta. New York will be the 21st May we are expecting a three day customs clearance. A lot of work has been contributed by many Islanders and friends to make this row take place, along with the generosity of Islanders and visitors who are supporting the event we thank you all very much. We of course are also endebted to our two main sponsors Tresco Estate and European Pensions Management who along with Nixon Design, Mercury PR,the BBC and the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group have made this dream a reality! The team reassure you of our dedication.
New Major Sponsor Announced
9th April 2008
European Pensions Management has announced sponsorship for the Scilly Boys 'Row4Home' part of the Woodvale North Atlantic Rowing challenge 2008.
Francis Moore, Managing Director European Pensions Management said:
‘We are delighted to sponsor this challenge to row the North Atlantic from New York to the Scillies and the attempt to break the record for the fastest crossing by a four man team. Our contribution will help to give the team the best possible platform from which each individual’s effort will determine the team’s success.
In our business we offer individuals the best opportunity for success in the management of their self invested personal pensions. We provide a flexible pensions framework leaving individuals to focus on maximising investment performance whatever the market conditions’.
On behalf of Tresco Estate,Euan Rodger added ‘We are indebted to Francis & Puffin Moore for their generous contribution to the challenge. We look forward to working with them to ensure that the team continue to get the full support that the challenge deserves. Tresco Estate and European Pensions Management have recently worked together on our Tresco Debenture offer and we are equally delighted to now be linked again through Scilly Boys’
Project Update
10th April 2008
Wednesday 9th April saw the launch of Scilly Boys once again for further sea trials, and on a bright but breezy day just after the Scillonian had left to return to Penzance, Mike from 'Island Carriers' skilfully lowered the boat into the harbour for us. Once we had boarded, the first job was to start, test and run the boats built in 12V water-maker. This ran faultlessly and produced about 15-litres of drinking water in the first 40 minuets or so, enough for the next 20-hours. With a good rate of charge indicating from the boats solar panels and a recently fitted wind generator we left the harbour about 17:00 and headed south-west towards the Bishop Rock which took about 3-1/2 hours due to a fresh westerly wind and unfavourable tides. In the darkness we passed close by and under the lighthouse's bright beam, a view in the dark of which I don't think any of us had seen 'The Bishop' before - quite spectacular but sadly too dark (for us) to photograph.
As we had intended to be out all night rowing, and because the wind was forecast to increase from the west - (between south-west and north west, depending on which forecast you looked at), we decided to play safe and row from there, due west into the wind and sea, the sea state being only about 1-metre or less. That combination however did make quite an impression on rowing the boat which made heavy work of maintaining 1 1/2 - 2 kts over the ground, but it was all good practice, although there were a few rogue curlers which got us wet. So we paired up and adopted the 'two hours on, two hours off' rowing/resting routine for the night and pressed on.
It was very reassuring to be able to see several 'targets' on the AIS radar screen throughout the night long before the other ships lights were visible to us, and quite interesting to be able to identify not only the name, type and size of the ships, but their course, speed and even their port of destination. More importantly was the thought that they also 'should' have been able to see us too. Routing into the sea and wind proved to make steering the boat and maintaining a good heading quite difficult whilst rowing even with the dagger board lowered, so we decided to test and run the Autohelm for the night. This worked very well, and although using quite a lot of battery reserve through the night, it did make life far easier with two rowing and two others resting inside.
It was quite a special sight rowing in the very clear, but cold sky with countless stars overhead and the Bishop Rock light flashing and getting slowly smaller and smaller as we left it behind. The only other lights visible were the red TV mast lights on St Mary's and a little bit further to the north astern of us was the Round Island lighthouse flashing, also white, like 'The Bishop' behind us.
All went quite smoothly until towards the end of the 03:30 - 05:30 shift, the 'mother of all rain clouds' paid a visit and the wind and rain being so heavy woke some of us up who were resting under warm quilts in the cabins. I understand that it was less then 'warm and comfy' out on deck rowing, however I was brave enough to pass out a dry towel from my warm cabin once the rain had passed!!
On a serious note however that night did remind us that we do quickly need to get hold of some seriously good protective foul weather clothing from somewhere before we leave, as cold, wet and fatigue is not a great combination, even just for a night let alone two or three months! Upon changeover time we decided to test out the cooker and heated water to check out some of the samples of freeze dried food we had taken to see which of them we liked, as we have not yet bought our food for the trip. First out of the bag was 'spaghetti bolognaise' - (or so it suggested on the packet). Once the hot water was added and recommended time given, this was . . . . ok. It warm, we were cold and hungry, and it was a bit like - well, spaghetti bolognaise - almost. Not too bad at all considering it was a bag of sawdust 9-minuets earlier before adding the water. Next out was not so pleasing. After soaking for 10-minuets it was still sawdust but also with a really bad aftertaste which I wont attempt to describe. We were cold and hungry, but not that hungry! Result of 1st tasting session: Spaghetti bolognaise 1, 'Pasta with beef and three cheeses' - a big Nil.
With crews changed we decided to turn back towards the Islands,and by now with lights from the Islands only just visible to the east of us, we started the run back. Upon disconnecting the Autopilot, normal steering was found to be much easier with a following wind and what sea there was in our favour, so we completed the return journey steering manually from the rowing positions. A couple of days earlier we had fitted to the sliding seats a pair of prototype seat moulding donated to us to try by 'Rowtec Ltd'. We were all glad to report that after 20-hours or so of rowing, that none of us had any problems or blisters 'down there' at all, so they will certainly stay fitted to the boat. We got back to St Mary's quite a bit earlier then expected, but of course all the elements that had been against us all night were now with us, so we arrived back in to St Mary's harbour around 14:00 on Thursday 10th. Shortly after, and with the kind help and guidance of Harbourmaster Capt Glen Covell and Mike Shave, the boat was carefully lifted out by Mike Knapman and returned for further alterations and improvements noted on the trip. All in all a very worthwhile trip out.
Counting Down
8th April 2008
It is now less then seven weeks before we leave for New York to the start line. Thinking back over a year or more it is fair to say that none of us I don’t think had any idea what was ahead of us with regard not only the planning of the challenge, but all the day to day arrangements, purchasing the boat and equipment, fitting it out and of course the cost of it all!. But then in early spring last year, Tresco Estate, after meeting with us to I guess partly to check out our sanity, came forward and paid for the boat for us which we were planning to buy! Not only that, offered to manage the marketing and sales of further sponsorship for us! We could not believe our luck! All our Christmas's arrived at once! (without those awful TV adverts and the washing up).
To Robert and Lucy, as well as Euan and Dean on Tresco, we are completely indebted to you and can not thank you enough for not only your initial confidence in us, but your ongoing support throughout the build up to the start.
A couple of weeks ago we launched and trailed the boat with much new and revised equipment, and very successful it was too. Although it was primarily a row for us to check out recently fitted hardware and modifications, we also had a passenger on board being a gentleman called Aiden, who is filming for the new and third series of ‘Island Parish’ yet to be transmitted. Being told to ‘carry on as normal’ whilst looking down the barrel of a TV camera is not as easy as said, however, maybe good practice for the trip real when we have to be the BBC camera operators as well as rowers? The BBC are going to New York to film the build up and the start, but to date I understand they have had no volunteer camera operators to stow away on board and film the crossing!
‘Scilly Boys’ is now back undercover, and yet more work has been completed, the most obvious being the side awning shelter canvass’ which should offer us in effect another 300mm of freeboard. Although we are in no doubt whatsoever that it is going to be ‘wet and horrible’ for much of the 2 - 3 months day and night, this very durable piece of bespoke handiwork completed by Keith Buchanan from ‘Rat Bags’ last week, along with the deck lifeline and stanchion wires should offer a little more very welcome shelter from the elements as well as an improved safety element.
We are now working hard to improve further the boat following our trials to offer us a further edge in our challenge. We have one or two more ideas which we are putting together and plan to trial at sea next week once again.
It is now just 28 days until the boat is shipped out from the Islands!