Thomas Cremona and his international crew of five other rowers are making good progress in their attempt to break the mid-Atlantic rowing record of 33 days, seven hours and 30 minutes.

They rowed out from Southern Morocco a week yesterday and have already covered 1,100km of their 5,000 journey to Barbados.

"It is so far so good, they have a good chance of breaking the record if they continue at this rate," Thomas's father told timesofmalta.com.

The journey for the rowing boat, the Sara G, has not been a lonely one. It got the close attention of a whale and was also approached by a number of fishing boats, with the fishermen enquiring whether all was well.

More recently the boat was circled by a maritime patrol aircraft. The rowers managed to establish radio contact with it and also assured the crew that they did not need assistance.

Mr Cremona said the rowers now increasingly benefiting from the currents and their average speed was slowly increasing.

Thomas, 22, survived Leukaemia when aged four, and his row is being made to raise funds for Puttinu Cares.

If his mission is accomplished, Mr Cremona will be the first Maltese person to row across the Atlantic.

Donations in support of Puttinu Cares can be made on

SMS: 50617380 - €2.33; 50618939 - €6.99; 50619225 - €11.65

Phone: 50049543 - €7.00; 50049545 - €11.00; 50049540 - €23.00

Bank: Bank of Valletta account 400 1812 2134