Solent coastguard rescues challenge team that was '10ft from death' as rowing adventure goes wrong
The team that was rescued by Solent Coastguard found the team going through a “terrifying experience”.
A team of adventurers trying to navigate from the southernmost part of the UK to the furthest northern point found themselves dicing with death in the Solent.
A four-man group, called South North Adventure, are taking on a world first challenge to row and cycle from Les Minquieres in Jersey to Out Stack. But as “one thing after another” went wrong, the coastguard had to be called to save them.
Having initially delayed the start due to bad weather, the team’s bow line snagged on the mooring forcing them to cut themselves free – delaying the start further; with the wind and tide still refusing to cooperate, progress was further hampered; communication issues; a rudder malfunction that had to be repaired on the water; and three separate autopilot systems failing resulted in the boat drifting without power or effective control.
Talking about the events which unfolded yesterday, ex-Oxford University psychologist and author Kevin Dutton said: “We were drifting and contacted Solent Coastguard for assistance due to there being large shipping in the area.
“A tanker responded and we finally saw it on the horizon - it was absolutely massive.
“They came closer and stopped about 200 meters away and slowly approached. Communication was tricky with the captain, but they inched closer and threw a line out that fell short. Our small ocean rowing boat was dwarfed by this massive vessel, and it was still getting closer and closer - to the point where there was significant potential for collision.
“The ship felt incredibly close to us and appeared to be only feet away. It was a terrifying experience.”
The team was subsequently towed into Weymouth, landing at 1.30am.