Today's Edition
Allan Jacob (ABU DHABI)
A 1,500km rowing expedition across the Arctic Ocean is not for the faint hearted. Only the brave with a cause dare venture out on such a challenge.
But for three UAE expat residents and explorers, rowing for a cause is a calling, or a mission to save the planet by raising awareness about plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and inspire the young generation while aiming to set five world records.
Their boat, the Ocean Guardian, is proudly flying the UAE flag during the long and arduous journey that will test their physical and mental endurance in the frigid waters of the Arctic to the limits.
Toby Gregory, Orlagh Dempsey, and Andy Savill set out on their 20-25 days rowing odyssey from Tromsø in Norway to Svalbard last weekend.
Their mission, called The Arctic Challenge, in one of the earth’s most remote, harsh, precious and vulnerable ecosystems, is to highlight the critical issues of ocean conservation and plastic pollution.
Speaking to Aletihad English during the voyage in the icy waters, Toby said: “The Arctic Challenge is an unparalleled adventure fusing exploration with environmental advocacy. My mission goes beyond endurance; this is a pioneering effort to ignite a generation’s imagination - inspiring them to push boundaries and dare to dream.”
They aim to be first unassisted and unsupported team to complete this challenging route. The trio also aim to champion “gender equality and to advance scientific understanding in the Arctic, one of Earth’s most remote, harsh, precious and yet vulnerable ecosystems”.
“I am immensely proud that my boat, Ocean Guardian, carries the UAE’s flag as we make history with this expedition,” said the Dubai-based British explorer and adventurer.
Months before their expedition, the team engaged with over 60 schools and 200,000 students. The goal is to reaching one million students globally by the end of November, in time to coincide with UAE National Day celebrations on December 1.
During their journey, the team will conduct environmental experiments with the United Nations Environment Programme’s “Clean Seas” initiative as their official partner. “This focus on sustainable practices and environmental care is in support of the UAE’s commitment to responsible development.”
Orlagh Dempsey, the lone woman in the boat, meanwhile, hopes to inspire women with this expedition. “Being the first woman to row this route is a dream come true and a significant milestone for gender equality. This journey highlights that greatness knows no gender and shows young women that they can achieve their ambitions. It’s an honour to contribute to sustainability and environmental advocacy while breaking new ground in extreme sports,” she said in a statement.
Their boat, the Ocean Guardian, is symbol of “resilience and determination”. It was designed and built for Toby’s pioneering 42-day unsupported voyage last year across the Atlantic Ocean.
Approximately the size of a car, the vessel has no engine, motor or sail. There are two solar panels at the front and back which provide limited power to charge the chart-plotter and desalination machine for water.
There’s also a small sleeping space and essential navigation equipment. The crew, who began their journey in the Arctic Circle city of Tromsø, are now rowing north across the tumultuous “devil’s dance floor”, staying east of Bear Island. They will then head north-west across the open Arctic Ocean, towards the Arctic iceshelf.
The route will later take them east and land in Longyearbyen, Svalbard – a place so bitterly cold for humans to survive in the conditions.
Their freezing and gruelling (even bone-chilling) schedule will include two hours “on” and two hours “off”, 24 hours a day, including through the night. They hope to maintain the rhythm during their journey. This relentless rhythm will continue for the duration of the expedition.
Their special diet plan will have 6,500 calories a day, and just 2-3 hours of sleep.
