13 December 2018: Row4Ocean, a team of four men in a multihull rowing boat, will set off from Dakar, Africa on 14 December and row across the Atlantic Ocean to Paramaribo in South America in under 27 days, to raise awareness of plastic pollution while attempting to break four world records.

With eight billion kilos of plastic dumped into our oceans every year – that’s 22 million kilos per day – Row4Ocean will be taking water samples along the route and using the power of social media to send a strong message around the world about plastic pollution and the urgent need for action.

Connected by Inmarsat Fleet One throughout the 2,305 nautical mile (nm) extreme adventure, the team will not only be able to rely on our global, seamless voice and data service to update social media, they will also have access to our free ‘505’ safety service, which in an emergency directs a call straight through to a Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC).

Future generations

Patrick Bol, one of the four rowers and syndicate partner for Rows4Ocean said: “Plastic levels are rising and in partnership with DP World’s Oceans campaign we aim to help get plastics out of the ocean for the benefit of future generations – including my seven-year-old son, Maximus.

“The row is the media vehicle for the greater cause so having Inmarsat’s connectivity onboard will enable us to highlight our important message from the middle of the Atlantic. We have to do something to improve our oceans, for the future, for our children, for mankind with four rowers for ocean.”

At 39.5ft long by 23ft wide, the ‘Year of Zayed’ is made of carbon fibre and nomex and is claimed to be the fastest ocean rowing boat ever built. Named after the founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Row4Ocean campaign is backed by DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

Ultra-reliable communications

Les Shortall, Market Development Director, Inmarsat Maritime said: “We are excited to support this extreme challenge by enabling the Row4Ocean team to get their message out live as they cross the Atlantic. Fleet One is the perfect choice of compact, ultra-reliable communications technology to help them stay safe and stay connected – a high performing solution for a high performing crew”

Track Row4Ocean here and watch their bid to grab the following world records unfold:

• The first multihull to row across TW2, Africa to South America, continent to continent
• Shortest time to row across TW2 Atlantic Ocean (record stands at 27 days)
• Fastest Atlantic crossing with an average speed of over 3.8kn (record stands at 3.7kn)
• Most consecutive days rowed over 100 nm/day on TW2 (record stands at 12 days)

For more information contact: news@inmarsat.com