Thomas Cremona and his crew are making good progress in their attempt to break the mid-Atlantic rowing record of 33 days, seven hours and 30 minutes.
Thomas’s father, Alfred, said the team spirit was excellent and they continued to bond, having covered 1,100 kilometres of their 5,000-kilometre journey to Barbados.
Thomas, 22, told his father their rowing technique was working well and everything was going smoothly. “We have occasionally hit close to seven knots, boosting our average speed. Unfortunately, we have also hit the other end of the scale and recorded a lowly speed of just one knot,” Mr Cremona quoted his son as saying.
The international crew, made up of two British, two Irish, an Icelandic and Thomas, has had several curious encounters, including with fishing vessels and a whale.
“We heard the increasing rumble of the powerful engines of a plane that approached us at rather low altitude. On instructions from skipper Matt Craughwell we checked our emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) in case one of us had accidently sent off a signal. “However, all EPIRBs on board were performing as expected and no signal had left the rowing boat, Sara G. Following radio contact between skipper Matt and the pilot, the plane circled us and continued to the intended destination flying low above the ocean,” Thomas told his father.
The boat also passed through a patch of ocean where it was battered by swells from both directions. Luckily, this hurdle did not last too long.
Thomas recounted to his father that, although he was still suffering from motion sickness, he was coping quite well and his appetite was returning. “The wind and current are quite favourable. It’s still early days and we continue to strive.”
Thomas survived leukaemia when aged four and his Row4Cancer campaign is helping raise funds for Puttinu Cares.
Donations in support of Puttinu Cares can be made by SMS on 5061 7380 for €2.33, 5061 8939 for €6.99 and 5061 9225 for €11.65, by phone on 5004 9543 for €7, 5004 9545 for €11 and 5004 9540 for €23. There is also a Bank of Valletta account 400 1812 2134.