Posted: Feb 02, 2006 09:30 am EST
(TheOceans.net) "It's one of the most challenging and worthwhile maritime endeavours of recent times," wrote the explorer - and for once - it's for real. Colin Yeates's row alone and unsupported non-stop around Antarctica will cover a distance equivalent to crossing the Atlantic Ocean more than three times.

Colin will neither touch land nor take onboard additional provisions during the ten and a half months at sea, most of them spent during Antarctic winter. There are no support ships. There are no professional home teams feeding the media crisp pics or loud press releases. There's only one man, attempting the most difficult and hazardous lone circumnavigation in modern times. It's one of the greatest expeditions ever.

“It’s wrecked"

It began nearly one month ago. After four years of planning and preparation Colin Yeates was off. A little over a day later the British rower had to abandon ship off the coast of East Falkland at Cow Bay. Powerless against the coastal currents, Colin gave up after a 30 hour battle. Exhausted, he called his home team over the sat phone. He told them he was beached about 10 miles North of Port Stanley. Speaking to Simon, he watched as his boat got pounded against the rocks.

“It’s wrecked,” he told him.

But when Colin sat down to do a full assessment of the ‘Charlie Rossiter’, the damage was not as extensive as he had anticipated. An oar and the rudder were destroyed but both could be replaced locally. However, the impact damage to the hull required strip down and repair for which Colin would need supplies from the UK.

Take two

With the help and expertise of local volunteers, Colin is now ready to begin his circumpolar row of Antarctica for the second time. He figures he should have the Charlie Rossiter back in the water by Friday or Saturday for a half day’s trial, conditions permitting. If all goes well, he hopes to take off at the beginning of next week.

We caught up with Colin in Port Stanley as he made last minute repairs and preparations. Here’s the latest on the expedition:

ExWeb: You’re setting out to be the first to row alone, unsupported and non-stop around Antarctica. What made you decide to take on this challenge? Have you ever done anything remotely similar before?

Colin: I’ve done lots of traveling, lots of backpacking and of course six years in the Merchant Navy. But I’ve never done anything nearly this challenging before. Still, I’ve always been interested in the sea. I spent quite a bit of time around the harbors of the South coast of Great Britain.

I guess the biggest motivation was simply that it’s never been done before – that in itself was a challenge. You sort of come up with the idea, work out the financials and before you know it you’re looking for a boat, getting it designed, built and the rest is history.

ExWeb: After four years of planning and preparations you were finally on your way but after 30 hours battling the Falklands coastal currents you were forced to abandon ship. What was going though your mind as you watched the boat get pounded against the rocks?

Colin: A million things really. But mainly my first thought was just about being in that situation – going at a speed of 3 knots, 2 going sideways. I knew I was in trouble. I also knew that this could happen especially after spending so much time along the SW of Great Britain where the currents are stronger. Of course with the wind and swell at the time it was really different too. I just couldn’t get away from it. But then again, things don’t always go according to plan.

I was also disappointed and angry, mostly with myself. Since I could’ve left a few days later and waited for the wind and currents to die down slightly. But instead I left when I shouldn’t have. That’s what can happen when you spend lots of time planning. It’s easy to get your eye off the ball.

But there are good things that came out of the experience too - like seeing how the boat took such a beating but sustained only some minor damage. Charlie’s a really strong boat indeed. She’s built from good materials and she’s proven her strength. On the way back during the land tow we also came across one of the biggest king penguin colonies in the world. It was quite a sight.

ExWeb: How is the ‘Charlie Rossiter’ looking after all the repairs? Is there anything in particular that concerns you as far as her sea worthiness goes?

Colin: She’s holding up really well actually. I’ve got about a half a days work left, and I need a full day of dry weather for things to solidify. But I still have to move the boat to do the work. The worst impact damage was about the size of a fist on the hull. I’ve got to cut that area back as far as the Kevlar layer. But other than that, everything’s fine.

ExWeb: You spent six years in the Merchant Navy and also served under the Royal Navy during the Falklands War. How did your training help you prepare for this expedition?

Colin: I guess the biggest help is that now I have a good idea of the weather conditions, and what to expect. Then again, it doesn’t matter what boat you’re in when the weather gets rough in this part of the world. But my years in the Navy did in fact help me – at least now it’s not a complete shock.

ExWeb: What’s been your experience with the Falkland locals?

Colin: More than anything the locals have been instrumental in getting me back on track. Some of the repairs have required more time and it would never have been possible without all the help I got from the people on the Island. Funny thing is, even though they understood what a difficult task I had ahead, they still helped me out.

They are so used to not having the raw materials like we are back home. If they can’t find a certain piece, they get something else and adapt it – whatever it takes to get the job done. They use their ingenuity to make the best with what they’ve got. I’ve been staying with Sue and Ron Buckett who have been great. I feel like a native already! It’s been quite an adventure!

ExWeb: Lucky the Brits won the war, eh? Otherwise you may still be out on the rocks.

Colin: Haaaa, yeah. For sure.

ExWeb: Your rudder and an oar were completely destroyed, not to mention some minor damage to the hull. What will you do if this happens again? How will you deal with repairs – say if you lose an essential piece - once you begin the expedition again?

Colin: With rowing, the biggest danger is always missing something that can’t be replaced or modified somehow. Shipping in this region of course is close to impossible. I guess the answer is I’ll be devastated. Honestly, it’s not worth even thinking about. Got to think positive. Any minor repairs won’t be a problem, like fixing the water maker, etc. But if it gets back to the rocks, then I’ll be had. I have most of the materials I need for dealing with general repairs and maintenance. Of course when you’re dealing with epoxies, you need warm, dry weather - that could be the bigger problem.

ExWeb: One of the biggest challenges for rowers has been capsizes following the unseasonal weather patterns we’ve seen over the past few months. How do plan on handling a capsize and self-righting the boat? Have you done a test run yet?

Colin: I have done a test run capsizing the boat actually, and it self rights very well. I can’t understand why some of the boats in the Woodvale Race did not self right so easily... I mean, if the shutters or doors to the cabin were open (as was the case of a female American team) and it fills up with water, then of course it’s very difficult. My boat is not entirely different from the boats in the Race. The materials are different, but essentially it’s the same boat.

It really depends where it’s built, who builds it. There’s great strength in epoxy which is one of the main materials used to build the Charlie Rossiter; not to mention the foam and kevlar as well as some fiber glass. The foam makes the boat lighter, and I also have more stalls which are obviously below. This gives more stability. Of course, these guys are racing and carrying a lot less so that may also figure in the boats not self righting.

ExWeb: What do you consider will be the key to a successful circumnavigation? And what would be your most important piece of advice to someone looking to undertake a similar row?

Colin: Obviously you have to start with the boat. But after that it’s mental more than physical really. Look at me; I’m a medium build 6’ tall fella, who’s simply got it in his mind that this can be done. You have to take it one day at a time. I’ve set way points for myself and I’ll being doing that twice a day, everyday during my row – so I know what I need to achieve each day.

ExWeb: Tell us about some of the latest technology you’ll be using during your row. What’s been the coolest thing about using this technology?

Colin: Well, I’ve got an Iridium sat phone, Contact 3.0, a digital camera and 4 Argos Beacons which are very good since they last about 90 odd days. If all communications fail, I can still say I’m ok, on board and continue to do that on a regular basis. I’ve also got a VHS, radio system which is ok for the vicinity. It’s limited, but may prove useful. I’ve also got 2 battery banks, 9 solar panels and a wind generator – but I don’t know how long that will last. Despite being exposed to the elements and sustaining some damage, it’s still working quite well.

As for Contact 3.0, it’s excellent, 1st class. I must say though initially I had problems with Contact but they were mostly with me. Like anything it takes getting used to. It’s common sense really – you’ve got to think, ‘ok it’s just like the dial up on my PC at home.’

ExWeb: A 21,630km (11,300 mile), nearly one year solo row can get pretty lonely. What is your private life like? How do plan on dealing with the loneliness?

Colin: The most difficult thing is leaving the family – having to say: “cheerio, I’m off now”. I’ve been married nearly 20 years now and my wife and I have 5 girls and 2 boys – I’m a slow learner. I guess all I can say is my wife’s very supportive but concerned; not happy but supportive.

When you’re spending that much time by yourself you have to try and not think about it as much as possible. It’s not easy of course. But it’s important not to think too much about “what’s happening back home?”; “are the boys and girls alright?” It’s not good to dwell on things. I love being at home and I love to travel too though. The first couple of weeks are always the toughest. But I’ve been away before, the longest stretch being 8 months. I’m going to be pretty occupied on this trip though, so hopefully it won’t be too bad.

ExWeb: Have there been any changes to your originally planned South-East route to the screaming sixties (60-67 latitude) following your recent stop? What is your biggest fear as you face some of the planet’s most extreme weather?

Colin:I was hoping for a route through the 60’s. But maybe I’ll stick to lower latitude if things go well. I’d be happy if I get to 55-60º. If I can get there, it seems like the best option. I also have to consider that I’m 1 month further down the line in the expedition. Every season should be different but there’s been lots of rain here lately – it’s been absolutely the worst summer, everyone says so. The seasons are getting more and more out of whack, and that’s everywhere.

As for the biggest danger, I’d have to say it’s got to be coming into contact with land. And while there are plenty of icebergs this time of year which will mean serious trouble in storms, I don’t think they should be too bad under normal sea conditions. They’ll probably be moving at a similar speed as me.

But land, that’s a different story – I say that from experience.

On Monday, Jan 2nd 2006, Colin Yeates set off to become the first person in history to row alone and unsupported and non-stop around Antarctica. Four years in the making, the 21,630km (11,300 miles or the equivalent of traveling the Atlantic Ocean 3 times) journey was expected to take him nearly a year to complete.

Colin spent six years in the Merchant Navy and served under the British Royal Navy during the Falklands War.

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