Royal Navy submariners row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in 36 days in Talisker Whisky challenge

HMS Oardacious are four Royal Navy Submariners who completed the epic journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson's Harbour in Antigua in the Caribbean in order to raise over £100,000 for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The team – Lieutenant Hugo Mitchell-Heggs from Sheffield, Lieutenant Callum Fraser from Basingstoke, Petty Officer Dylan Woods from Northern Ireland and Leading Engineer Technician Matt Harvey from Kirkaldy – launched their challenge in Portsmouth last summer.

They started the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the 'world's toughest row', on December 12.

In 36 days, they rowed their 28ft-long, £50,000 lightweight R45 Rannoch rowing boat across 3,000 miles of shark-infested waters, waves reaching heights of 40ft, heavy storms, and busy shipping lanes.

Lt Mitchell-Heggs said: ‘The beginning of the race was touch and go, due to the demise of our autopilot which meant we had to steer manually and took us down to three men for 24 hours, but determination and great teamwork meant we still managed to remain in the front pack.’

The team completed 1.5m strokes by keeping to a schedule of rowing two hours, and sleeping for two hours, 24 hours a day, overcoming seasickness, blisters and sores.

At their lowest, the team battled dehydration and extreme fatigue in 40C heat, burning 12,000 calories a day and losing around 20 per cent of their body weight.

Petty Officer Woods said: ‘It was an incredible challenge for a worthwhile cause and it feels great to be back on land, reunited with loved ones. My gran was told to prepare bangers and mash for our return so that will be next on my list!’

To donate to the cause, text 'NAVY OAR' to 70500 – this donates £5 to the Portsmouth-based Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.