Pacific Odyssey - Trans North Pacific Row

Vessel Name: Crackers
Vessel Make/Model: Ocean Rower
Hailing Port: Poole, Dorset UK
Crew: Tim Welford, Dom Mee
Extra:
In May of 2001 the crew of 'Crackers' will set out from Choshi, a small fishing village north of Tokyo, Japan. They will head out into the vast emptiness of the north Pacific Ocean on a great circle route towards the western shore of the United States some 5000 miles distant. They have to reach [...]
31 December 2001 | Exmouth, Devon, UK
10 October 2001 | The Blue Boar, Poole, Dorset UK
22 September 2001 | Los Angeles
18 September 2001 | Lat: 43 33.56' N Long: 146 53.08' W
13 September 2001 | 43 11.84' N, 150 06.40' W
07 September 2001 | 42 56.92' N, 153 16.00' W
30 August 2001 | 42 46.96' N, 157 04.20' W
21 August 2001 | Lat: 44 42.32' N - Long: 165 31.08' W
15 August 2001 | Just past halfway!
01 August 2001 | International Dateline, N Pacific
25 July 2001 | Pacific
18 July 2001 | North Pacific
10 July 2001 | Pacific
05 July 2001 | Somewhere wet, windy and soggy
27 June 2001 | Pacific
20 June 2001 | 33 degs 45 N 162 degs 31 E
06 June 2001 | 158 Degrees E
30 May 2001 | Pacific
Recent Blog Posts
31 December 2001 | Exmouth, Devon, UK

Happy New Year!

What a year it has been, after being on dry land since September it's hard to believe that Tim and I were once rowing the Pacific. We are now preparing for the London Boat Show starting on the 3rd of January 2002, the last time we attended the show was last January along with 'Crackers'.

10 October 2001 | The Blue Boar, Poole, Dorset UK

Reflection

As you all now know, our North Pacific Unsupported rowing attempt came to a disastrous end when we were damaged and capsized beyond repair by an American fishing vessel. Now with our feet firmly on dry land and having got over the 'lucky to be alive' feeling we have to look at the positive aspects of [...]

22 September 2001 | Los Angeles

Rescued

As you know by now, Pacific Odyssey has come to a dramatic and premature end. The Tuna fishing vessel 'Judy S' collided with Crackers cutting the hull virtually in two, throwing Dom into the sea and leaving me trapped in the upturned hull. After getting out we were taken aboard the Judy S and amanged [...]

Rescued

22 September 2001 | Los Angeles
Tim Welford
As you know by now, Pacific Odyssey has come to a dramatic and premature end. The Tuna fishing vessel 'Judy S' collided with Crackers cutting the hull virtually in two, throwing Dom into the sea and leaving me trapped in the upturned hull. After getting out we were taken aboard the Judy S and amanged to salvage some of our equipment. Another fishing boat, the 'Al and Ken' then attempted recovery of Crackers but our faithful old boat snapped as she was hauled up the stern of the trawler. The aft section of Crackers then slipped slowly away into the deep never to be seen again.

Some time later the US Coastguard arranged for us to be transferred from the Judy S onto the Container carrier 'APL Iolite' which deviated some 200 miles from its normal course in order to take us on board. Had we not been the recipients of such generosity by APL we would have been tied to the fishing fleets programme. None of the trawlers intended to put their catch ashore until they were full and the next boat due to visit the canning factory a week off with a destination of West Samoa via Hawaii for fuel.

Once safely on board the APL Iolite Dom and I were extremely well looked after and we have made many new friends. A very warm and heartfelt thanks from Dom and I to Captain Peter Fernandes and his crew. Two days later we arrived in Los Angeles to a fantastic re-union with our wives and Al and Tony from our support crew.

Looking back so soon after such a major upheaval, we've no regrets. Accidents happen at sea and although this was a million to one chance, we always knew it was possible. We're both devastated to have been thwarted so close to land but very glad to be alive.

As to the future, well, who knows right now. Dom has plans for a major sailing expedition - watch this space! Finally for today, before we fly back to the UK, I must thank everyone who has been kind enough to send such fantastic messages of support both now and throughout the expedition. We'll be posting more news to this site for some time yet, so keep checking for photos of the accident and a more considered telling of the whole story.

All the very best, Tim.

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