Four rowers trying to become the first crew to cross the Atlantic in less than four weeks failed in their world record attempt after their craft suffered mechanical failures.
The crew, led by Dutchman Patrick Bol, got within 1,200 kilometres of Surinam in South America before abandoning their charge to the finish line on Sunday.
Problems with the rudder that still allowed them to stay on course first arose on New Year’s Day. Repairs were followed by a second failure 24 hours later.
Stopping to repair the damage cost the team valuable time in their race to South America.
But despite those setbacks, the Row4Ocean support crew were confident that prevailing winds and a favourable current made the team’s world record attempt a realistic target.
Then the rudder failed for a third time, after they travelled 2,880km.
"We are safe but we are gutted," said Mr Bol from on board the Year of Zayed.
The team now have a support boat with them and hope to guide the craft into dock in South America, but not in record time.
“There is no space for all four of us but nobody wanted to leave the boat regardless of the hardship,” Mr Bol said. “We know each other so well now and we will have days to just look at each other, but I am sure the stories told will be memorable.”
The Dubai team of Mr Bol and Britons Lewis Knollman, Andrew Ruinoff and Matt Wilds set off from Senegal on December 14 with high hopes of breaking four world records.
One of these was to become the fastest rowing team to complete the 3,709km ocean crossing from West Africa to South America.
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Read more:
Dubai rowers edge closer to transatlantic record
Dubai rowers set off on four week Transatlantic challenge
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Dubai Ports funded much of the trip, including the Dh1.8 million trimaran.
The team wanted to draw attention to the problem of plastic in the planet’s oceans and the damage it is doing to the environment and marine life.
Mr Bol said his crewmates were in good spirits, and were looking forward to heading home after they enjoy their unique surroundings for a few more days.
“We have enough food on board and we have plenty of time to do some fishing,” he said through the boat’s satellite phone.
“I would like to thank all of our sponsors and supporters. After so much time and effort the project failed because of a small piece of metal.
“It is a pity but we wanted to put out the important message about plastic pollution, and we have done that. We were so close. Sometimes you learn more from failure than success.”
To find out more about the project, visit row4ocean.com.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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AIDA%20RETURNS
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
