Posted: Jun 28, 2005 07:39 pm EDT
They all have just about a month to break their intended records, so how are the North Atlantic ocean rowers doing? Here are the latest dispatches and pics - straight from the three rowing boats and nine guys out there in the middle of the North Atlantic ocean.

The more we follow the world's ocean voyages, the more we have to give it to these guys. Ocean rowing might well be the most under-estimated sea adventure: There are no support boats or high tech home teams following these boys - they are entirely on their own. The pics, dispatches and the tracking? All done by themselves over Contact 3.0 straight to their websites. No webmasters.

And considering the latest shark scare (Ollie and the Dutch had one each) and now the attacks in Florida...check out the Brits, swimming.

Ollie (British): "Can't seem to make a decent cup of tea out here"

Ollie's ride is the toughest. His distance quite a bit longer than Maud's for instance, this guy goes it alone and is well behind the other two boats. Here's his latest:

"DAY 32
27 Jun, 05 - 20:01 4315.4000N,05903.3000W,0M
So here we are over a month bobbing around on the pond.
All seems well with mind, body and soul , boat and equipment . Progress maybe a little slow - well if you will row...

Been on anchor all day ENE wind blocking our course. C'est la vie. Expect change to S by 12GMT Tomorrow. Since on anchor have taken the opportunity to change ships time from US East coast to GMT so we move 4 hrs ahead - one hr behind UK on BST. This will give us the advantage of better daylight hrs for rowing. It will get light at approx. 0700 & dark around 0030. Jet lag on a rowing boat!

When on anchor am rationing food so we will have the ability to stay out here for as long as necessary ! Would love to receive any random facts/useless information about Falmouth!

Spoke to Mors yesterday- odd to think that this time last year I was in Northumberland helping clip sheep - now I'm out here not a sheep for miles! Funny old world.

Been trying to catch fish again today using mackerel jigs - kindly given to me by Brendan in Atlantic Highlands - no luck yet maybe will catch overnight !

BEEN doing some maintenance today greasing the steering gear, battery terminals, watermaker piston, cleaning and drying the bilge's etc..

On food - thank you very much Mrs. Stead for the Bainton fudge - what a lifesaver! It was vacuum packed into rations before leaving and is one of the few foods to really look forward to finding !
Can't seem to make a decent cup of tea out here not sure why always tastes like dishwater - hot dishwater though!

Sleep well landlubbers!!!"

Atlantic Fours (Brits) - Broken Oar

These guys left from Canada, 4 days after the others:

"27th June 2005 12:00BST 4658.0000N,02217.0000W,0M
Yesterday saw the continuation of our slog against the ever present East North East wind, it has been with us for 4 days and to date been the most consistent weather we have had since leaving St Johns 28 days ago. Until now the weather has changed daily and when we cast our minds back we can recall some pretty epic days! Today we were hit by a breaking wave that to this day astounds all of us that we are still here.

On the bright side the high pressure that sits over us bought clear skies and glorious sunshine yesterday. Such was the warmth of the rays that three of the more hygenic crew members Rob, George, and Nigel took the opportunity to take a dip over the side we wont lie and say it was warm but certainly very refreshing. Steve's excuse for not going in? "I don't do in the water!" Seems he does'nt do washing either.

Well boat speed is increasing as we are able to spoil ourselves with double rations increasing not only our energy but reducing the weight of the boat.

Acting on information given by Mr Vivaldi, a raid was carried out on a portside locker late last night. The raid was a success with Lucky being recovered alive and well along with a stowaway! The exact relationship between the two is not yet known and it is still not clear who posted the ransom note?. Following interviews we hope to release more information tomorrow.

Yours in Rowing
The Crew"

Atlantic Fours (Holland): "The worst weather of our trip"

Departed from New Jersey, the same day as Ollie. You can imagine the boats are now spread out. Here's the latest from the Dutch rowers:

"Day 33, wet wet wet 28 Jun, 05 - 18:48
Unfortunately not the 80s band but everything on board. We have had rain for three days in a row. When you prepare for a expedition like this you need good clothing. We use Helly Hansen and it all performs well. However sponsor obligations told we had to have title sponsor names on our jacket arms. Unfortunately 3 of the 4 jackets lost the waterproof certificate of HH after stitching.. Very very frustrating after three days of rain. But what can you do? Go back .....

Yesterday evening, after a 56 nm row, we got the worst weather of our trip. 30+ knots winds, but the VV behind paraanchor was enjoying the rough ride. We tried to sleep in the famous rollercoaster (Een superrrrrrrrrr attractie, hahaha, komt ie weer, gaat ie weer, dit is de allerlekkerste machine!!!) Ask Bazen for live performance ........

1300gmt we started rowing again, hope to make some very important milage. Further we would like to inform you that three of our Ipods deathrow inmates listening to the names Norah Jones and the immer irritating Acda and the Munnik have escaped from prison.... They were to be executioned today at noon. They are accused of three serious offenses:
1) sing us asleep
2) repeating too much
3) trying to demotivate us (kattengejank)
But were heard on the Ipod this very morning! They are wanted more dead than alive!

Spirits are high! We are still after the record!

Blue skies,
Maarten
ps. generator works.....I found the power-button for Jaap!

Ocean Fours/Holland departed May 27 from Atlantic Highlands NJ, planning to set a world record by rowing to the Scilly Islands (UK) in an 11.1 meter (34 ft) long boat in less then 55 days. After this journey they will row to their home city, Rotterdam. The team members are Dutch Gijs Groeneveld, Robert Hoeve, Jaap Koomen, and Maarten Staarink. They are using Contact 3.0 software to provide live images and updates of their expedition.

The Atlantic Four/British departed May 31, from St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada onboard "Naturally Best", intending to set a new record for route Canada - Europe, by finishing in Falmouth less than 55 days later. Their 29 foot long boat will be faster than traditional ocean rowing boats because it has been designed with a radically streamlined hull that has a minimum wetted hull area. The team made a first attempt three years ago. After three weeks at sea, their boat’s rudder was ripped off during a storm, and they had to be picked up by a passing ship. The Grand Banks and the ice flows will work against the team, pushing them back towards the North American coast. The first week of rowing is most crucial, as this is when the team must escape those dangerous currents before reaching the Gulf Stream which will help to carry them home. Team members are: Rob Munslow, George Rock, Nigel Morris, and Steve Dawson (with Garry Smith in reserve).They are using Contact 3.0 software to provide live images and updates of their expedition.

Oliver Hicks/British departed on May 27 2005 at 14:30GMT from Atlantic Highlands NJ onboard an Atlantic challenge class rowing boat (24.3 ft long), intending to reach England in 62 days or less, thereby breaking the USA-Europe solo Atlantic record. Oliver is the youngest rower (23) to attempt the 3,000-mile crossing.

Previously, Oliver Hicks has competed in the Marathon des Sables and the world’s longest kayak race, the Yukon River Quest. He first developed an interest in ocean rowing at age 16. He is using Contact 3.0 software to provide live images and updates of their expedition.

Frank Samuelson and George Harbo, two Norwegian immigrants and fishermen, rowed with an eighteen foot skiff ‘The Fox” in 55 days from New York to the Scilly Islands. The ocean rowing pioneers ended their trip in Le Havre. They hoped to cash in on the lucrative lecture tour circuit and make their fortunes. But they ended up with two medals and had to return to fishing. George Harbo died in 1908 and Frank Samuelson in 1946. Their record of 55 days has yet to be broken for that particular route.

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