Previous
AMERICAN EXPLORER PREPARES TO ROW SOLO ACROSS THE NORTH ATLANTIC FROM U.S.A. TO EUROPE
Added: (Thu Feb 16 2006)
Wave Vidmar, 41, is preparing for his solo/unsupported ocean row from the United States to Europe. Starting in early June 2006 (exact date dependant upon favorable weather) Vidmar will launch from Cape Cod, Chatham, Mass, USA, W-E, in a custom 24-foot row boat. He hopes to end his row in England, but could be blown off-course and end up anywhere from Ireland to Spain. When Vidmar reaches Europe, he will become the first American to complete this route.
The seasoned explorer expects the historic row to take between 2-5 months, battling waves up to 60 feet tall, remnant storms from hurricanes further south, dodging cargo and tanker ships, whales, sharks, and everything else mother nature might throw at him – all alone, and with no sails, motor, or other propulsion – just his muscles and oars. Distance as the crow flies is around 3,700 miles, and he’ll likely row many more miles than that, due to winds and eddy currents which at times can push him backwards.
Only four other people have rowed solo/unsupported across the mighty north Atlantic from USA to Europe. The only other American to attempt this route was lost at sea just 230 miles off the coast of Ireland. Considered one of the most challenging of ocean rows, Vidmar has been preparing for the expedition for over 2 years.
The explorer has helped design his own, all-composite ocean row boat. According to yacht engineer/designer Doug Frolich of Marshall Yacht Design, Vidmar “would have to work very hard to sink this boat”. But they dare not call it ‘unsinkable’, remembering the Titanic…. The design is the culmination of years of research, the latest in materials and construction techniques, and the experiences and problems faced by other ocean rowers over the last 20 years. The specialized 24-foot ocean row boat is currently being constructed by the Maritime Knowledge Center in Delfzijl, Holland. The one-piece hull is nearly an inch and a quarter thick, with a foam core and external skins of carbon fiber, and internal skins of aramid fibers (Kevlar), infused with epoxy.
“Every system on the boat has backups and redundant systems”, says Vidmar. “I researched all of the previous ocean rows, paying special attention to problems other rowers have had, and have worked hard to mitigate any of those potential problems for my own row. I don’t have a death wish, safety is paramount”.
He will have onboard a life raft, several EPIRB emergency beacons, survival immersion suit, life jackets, and be tethered to the boat in rough weather. Should the weather and seas become too rough, Vidmar can strap himself into his sleeping cove and ride out the storms. He expects to be capsized at least a dozen times, and may even be ‘pitch-poled’ (where the boat is tossed end-over-end). He may be the first ocean rower to bring a helmet. In the event of a capsize, his boat has been designed to be self-righting.
Vidmar plans to take enough food to last 180 days, including 220 freeze-dried dinners. He’ll be able to cook his food at several locations on the boat. Power will be supplied by two types of solar panels storing energy in gel-cell batteries. Water is made using a reverse osmosis desalinator. If it were to fail, Vidmar can attach it to his rowing seat and make water by rowing. He also has a spare water maker.
Navigation will be by compass and GPS, along with digital charts on computer. Should the GPS satellites have a problem, he also has a sextant and paper charts. He’ll utilize satellite phones for communications, and will be able to update his website directly from the boat without any outside assistance, send and receive emails, give ‘live’ media interviews, and receive weather and other logistical information. There will be three different satellite communications systems onboard (Iridium, Inmarsat, Globalstar), along with VHF radios.
Marine life Vidmar can expect to encounter include endangered Right whales, marine birds, flying fish, and Atlantic white sharks. It’s not uncommon for sharks 10-20 feet long to stalk ocean row boats, even taking occasional bites out of the boats.
When asked why he would attempt such a risky adventure, Vidmar states “It’s the challenge I pursue and thrive on”. Indeed, Vidmar was the first American to attempt a solo/unsupported expedition to the North Pole in 2004. He also has several more ocean rows in the planning stages, and hopes to accomplish his South Pole Solo and Arctic Ocean crossing in the coming polar seasons.
Those interested will be able to track Vidmar’s progress via the internet at his expedition website (www.oceanrowsolo), as well as at the Ocean Rowing Society’s website (www.oceanrowing.com) Vidmar likes to include a strong educational component to his expeditions and invites schools around the world to participate.