News...

Continued via Satellite

Due to bandwidth restrictions, daily updates will be continued via satellite using Contact 3.0.

To read the latest updates visit
http://www.humanedgetech.com/expedition/bhavik/

It's not about the boat - Final letter from land

Ocean rowing is probably the toughest endurance sport. It's demands on physical and mental stamina are unique. Getting to the starting point has been a formidable task and a management challenge. The time pressure has been intense, with every day lost being another day added into the approaching Atlantic hurricane season. Undertaking this attempt so far, has had its its moments of excitement, frustration, disappointment, anger, happiness, fun, anticipation, doubt and hope.

So what does it take? Here is a brief insight.

The research
Books, logs of past attempts, speaking to past rowers
The decision & goal setting
Taking the decision to do it solo
Learning
Boat design:
Selcting Hull structures, rudder design, steering systems, electrics, ballast distribution
Equipment:
Solar panels, water maker (de-salinator), sea anchors, VHF radio, speed logs, bilge pumps, navigation lights, cables, tapes, fiberglass repair kits, spare parts, watertight storage bags, cabin lighting, deck lighting, squall shields, ventilators, wind gauges, barometers
Safety and Emergency Equipment:
Grab bags, emergency rations, backup water maker, GPS backups, day flairs, night flairs, signaling smoke, fog horns, life jackets, safety harnesses, para anchors, EPIRB, first aid kits
Maintenance:
Learning to fix it all at sea
Communications & Technology:
VHF, satellite connectivity, satellite phones, Contact 3, tracking systems, data extraction and publishing, EPIRB, radar transponder, Argos satellite tracking, web messaging via satellite, web tracking, weblogs
Navigation:
Weather systems, currents, prevailing winds, maps, pilot charts, chart plotting, GPS, sextants
Film making:
Video and photo equipment, storyboarding, documentation, licencing
Nutrition:
Diet planning, rationing
Training:
Physical training
People:
Finding the expertise
Testing:
Marine trials, emergency equipment, backup procedures

Financing
Raising the finance, distributing costs amongst equipment sponsors, media partners, suppliers and technology partners, negotiating sponsorship agreements, invoicing, settling payments, managing cash flow, maintaining accounts
Risk Management
Planning for capsizes, loss of electricity, loss of communication, equipment failure
Logistics: getting it all to the starting point
Public relations:
Managing the press and media, managing public communications
Administration:
Setting up processes, managing paperwork, digital information, data backups, archiving
General Management:
Developing a project plan, setting goals, milestones, time estimates, analysing risk, selecting suppliers, negotiating contracts. Putting it all together on schedule and within budget

After it's all done, it's time to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic.
Only if it gracious enough to let you...

From Concept....


...To Reality

Good to go. Awaiting winds.

All ready and good to go. Awaiting a forecast for 4 days of stable Northerly winds that will allow me to clear El Hierro, the island to South West of La Gomera. There are strong circular currents (eddies) around El Hierro that have trapped previous rowing attempts for weeks.

Cleared to leave

Getting the clearence papers to leave San Sebastian

C3 and Iridium problems

Working through the night to sort out configuration issues.

Awaiting equipment

Awaiting equipment to be cleared from Spanish customs in Barcelona.

Mayor's dinner

Invitation for dinner at the mayors office.

Route review

Review of the route looking at weather conditions.

Working around siesta

Life on the island comes to a stop at 1.00 in the afternoon and starts again at 4.00. Working around the siesta hours can be very frustrating.

Route mapping

Working out way points. A view of Tenerife and El Teide from the window.