Crossing an Ocean by Boat

They are designed to self-right in the event of a capsize (the cabin's buoyancy will force the boat to flip back over if it gets knocked upside down by a wave).

There are three rowing seats on deck, but space really is very limited; this is also where the crew will row but also serves as a living space to prepare food, wash themselves, wash their clothes, and go to the toilet (a bucket).

They are completely unsupported from start to finish, so their solar panels charge the batteries – which also power the navigation equipment, steering system, personal electronics and the watermaker. This is hugely important as the watermaker converts seawater into drinking water (around 10 litres per rower per day)

The crew goes by shifts of two hours of rowing, two hours of rest, all day – every day for around 40 days. During this time, the crew will be rowing over 12 hours each every day and burning over 6,000 calories per day, meaning they need to eat a meal or snack every few hours to maintain their body weight. 

The team uses satellite technology to receive calls and updates from the support team and weather router to navigate the ocean as effectively as possible, making the most of the conditions to help go as quickly as possible to their destination (wind and waves can be very helpful if coming from the right direction).

How did I feel when I tried this way of getting around?:

There are a mixture of feelings, mostly that it is an incredible journey with the most extraordinary sights. Sunrises and sunsets fill up the entire horizon; most nights are a spectacle of billions of stars and the best view of the Milky Way.

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