Determined Royal Navy sailors complete "world's toughest row" in epic 3,000 mile mission

The four HMS Oardacious rowers have finished their epic 3,000 mile journey across the ocean from the Canaries to Antingua. They reached the finish line in Nelson’s Dockyard, placing them seventh of the 43 teams and individuals who left La Gomera in mid-December.

Relying on their own strength alongside the winds and currents, the team sailed across the line after 36 days and 12 hours. The rowers – two air engineers (Commodore Rich Purdy and Warrant Officer 1 Liam Hoddy) and two submariners (Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Addison Taylor and Lieutenant Commander Guy Wilton) – faced highs and lows on their crossing, as well as constant exhaustion and a mostly monotonous diet.

Cdre Purdy said: “We’ve seen night skies full of stars with the full Milky Way and shooting stars, the vastness of the ocean, sunsets and sunrises, and we’ve climbed into the sea with literally miles of water below and around us. There’s also been sea sickness, heat sickness, fatigue, hallucinations and a faulty auto-tiller – the boat’s steering system. But thanks to the company of fellow sailors, who have worked hard as a crew, we’ve supported each other through the highs and lows.”

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The team faced waves more than 30ft high, with the sailors never managing more than two hours’ sleep in a row. Despite their best efforts, they didn’t bring the team victory. The winners, Swiss quartet 44 West, reached the finish line nearly seven whole days ahead of HMS Oardacious. Royal Navy personnel finished fifth in the category of four-strong teams, seventh overall, raised thousands of pounds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

Surg Lt Cdr Taylor said: “For me, the high point was around New Year with the full moon which made it as bright as day and everything was clear and still. Pictures just don’t do it justice. The low point was definitely the first 48 hours when everything I’d eaten over the past month came back up and I really wanted to die – but thankfully that passed pretty quickly.”

The Oardacious programme is now in its fifth incarnation, going back to 2019, with more than £1m being raised for the force’s principal charity, as well as mental health and wellbeing support for service personnel and their families. You can donate to the fundraiser online here.