Photo:Tony Matthews
A big hello from the friendly and sunny Island of Barbados.
The British Ocean Rowing Team are now roughly 100 miles from Barbados and are straining to get to the tropical island in the Caribbean. “We are currently north of track and crosswinds are preventing us from steering south to Barbados. We are coming in hot and we are only just laying the northern point of Barbados. It is a pretty daunting prospect of coming in on the North shore, it is far from ideal. We are heading for a remote beach just about the only spot we can come in.”
Logistics shore manager Chris Collison has been working on this expedition since its conception;
“After having detailed discussions with the Barbados Coastguard who have voluntarily offered to oversee the team’s arrival, we have surveyed the North Point area and there is a possibility of getting the lads into a small bay west of Touce Point, Lt Roberts at the Coastguard has been very helpful and although it is a possibility that the team can get in there, it is not ideal; the bay is remote, surrounded by cliffs and there will be a terrific ocean swell, it may be fairly easy to get in and touch land but getting out even under tow could be a bit risky. We won’t compromise safety for anything and we will need to see what the sea state is like at the time.”
The British Ocean Rowing Team will reach Barbados just an agonising two days behind schedule, they have run out of food but will be looking forward to an all inclusive holiday at the Barbados Beach Club with their partners, courtesy of team sponsors Virgin Holidays. They will need to lay on some extra food at the buffet!
Not sure I'd want someone called "Collision" guiding me in, you'd best hurry up boys!
Posted by: Erica Badou | 19 February 2007 at 07:41
Well done to all the lads and especially Tom, it's a great effort.
The Clifton boys.
Posted by: Richard Avery | 19 February 2007 at 08:03
Well done guys! Once again you have showed the world what the English are made of. Enjoy your holiday.
Posted by: Richard Walton | 19 February 2007 at 08:53
Well done guys, we're really proud of you and to be associated with you. Take care during the last pull, we're with you all the way. Sorry not to be there to share a Rum Punch but I'm sure Jim and Andy will have more than a few with you.
Mel xxxx
Posted by: Melanie & All at Innotec | 19 February 2007 at 09:10
Fantastic work team! What a journey. Superhuman effort. Top class. Enjoy that Rum!
Posted by: Chris Martin | 19 February 2007 at 09:25
Have a great holiday -
Mount Gay rum is the best in the world!
Posted by: Clare H | 19 February 2007 at 09:28
Incredible effort guys, inspirational stuff. Looking forward to a couple of diet cokes upon your return to Bristol - and if you ever want to look at an ocean rowing boat again, ours is now on display at Bristol Zoo, nestled between the gorillas and the seals! Enjoy the holiday boys, you all deserve it.
Niall
Posted by: Niall McCann | 19 February 2007 at 10:34
Sterling effort Fellas!!! Good Work, Good Drills, Well Done All!!!See You Soon Big Man...
Titchokido
Posted by: Adrian Wibrew | 19 February 2007 at 11:26
Great effort Domster and crew! Followed you all the way. One storm and the record just slips away, bummer. You know you would have done it otherwise! Glad the boat handled well, they go like a rocket in the right conditions eh?!
Enjoy the rum!
See you on your return
Justin
Posted by: Justin A | 19 February 2007 at 11:29
A final salvo from those mighty Guns of Navarone and you're in now lads, superheroes all.
Posted by: Meg & Andy | 19 February 2007 at 11:53
What a fantastic achievement. We are all waiting and wish you a safe landing. Tony's picture (taken yesterday) says a lot about the coastline!
Posted by: Richard & Suzanne Bird | 19 February 2007 at 13:05
I demand a recount!
H.Root
PS
Please send Mrs Root a picture of the lads BEFORE they hit the Mountgay. I would hate her to have her dreams shattered.
Seriously chaps I have no idea how you must be feeling.To have achieved such a feat is amazing but to be thwarted by one storm must be absolutely gutting. We all feel for you lads.
Now just enjoy!!
Rob
Posted by: white horse barflies | 19 February 2007 at 15:35
Fantastic effort guys. So close. Have a good rest and enjoy Barbados. The record will be broken one day by a four-man.
Shaun (Queensgate)
Posted by: Shaun Barker | 19 February 2007 at 16:32
Hurry to the rum but watch those rocks! Hope you are not too hungry guys - go for Domster's guns if all else fails - plenty of muscle there he tells us! You have achieved such an amazing feat out there battling against the odds every day and making us all very proud to know you. Savour every second of your success - you deserve every accolade going. Now heroes get to that party and start rocking...
love coxy
Can't wait to hear all about it from the Big Man himself xxx
Posted by: Coxy | 19 February 2007 at 18:12
a very big well done guys!! you showed the world what the english can do.. sit back guys and enjoy the well earned rest(rum) soak it up boys!!!you deserve it!!
DOM if you are still wanting a lesson on reversing when you get back ill be happy to show you!!!!(thats when the container arrives back in blighty!)
Posted by: matt | 19 February 2007 at 18:36
Ed, what an achievement, a truly magnificent feat. Heartfelt congratulations from me, Sam and Rachel.
Get in safely and have a fantastic holiday.
I saw Sam this week, he has a booking sorted at the usual venue for us on your return.
Dinner is on us!!!
Thanks for being so amazing and an inspiration to us all.
David and Rachel Wood and Sam Webber
Posted by: David, Rachel and Sam | 19 February 2007 at 20:14
Great row guys , cant do anything about mother nature. Enjoy the rest ,the rum and the Banks.
Hope the paint work not scratched !!
Be great to meet up when you get back.
Yorkie.
Posted by: yorkie | 19 February 2007 at 21:31
I enjoyed your journey and am privileged to have monitored your voyage. Trust the adventure has many positive effects on you all in the future.
Posted by: Tom Wornham | 19 February 2007 at 22:20
Lads,
Absolutely inspirational.
The fact that bad luck earlier on took the record away from you has not detracted one bit from your colossal acheivement.
T1000, the PT TROOP is proud of you beyond words - now come back and give us a good 'black-bagging'!
Dan and Alision
Posted by: Dan Brown | 19 February 2007 at 22:31
Dom, Tom, Pete and Ed,
Bloody good effort fellows. Been following you every step of the way and I'm proud to say I know the guys that have undertaken such an epic voyage. it may seem cruel now to be so close, but you made it back in one piece, crossed the ATLANTIC!! in a rowing boat in just a few weeks and as an achievement on it's own is something not one man can take away from you. Congratulations.
Posted by: Spence | 20 February 2007 at 08:21
What a wonderful achievement. I am very proud of you guys and happy you are safe. Enjoy your time in Barbados!
Posted by: Teresa Ebeling | 20 February 2007 at 14:22
Looks like better landing options reopened this pm, halfway down east cost 20 ms off Beersheba? Hope to hear you in by dusk for the sundowners.
Posted by: Meg & Andy | 20 February 2007 at 17:02
Well done! An awesome achievement so congratulations to you all. Peter, we have another network problem for you to fix on David's new lap top!!
Posted by: Poulter family | 20 February 2007 at 19:34
Just seen the clock stop and that you've landed safely. Nice one lads, well done.
Posted by: Shaun Barker | 20 February 2007 at 20:50
Well done Dom, Tom, Pete & Ed! Sooo proud of you, lads & glad to know you've arrived safely.
Don't know where your special strength comes from but please bottle some and send it on . .
Best love
lee-lee
Posted by: lee-lee | 20 February 2007 at 20:57