An Amazing Voyage to Support CF
In 2012, Ben Turner will be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime ― a solo, unassisted and non-stop row across the Pacific Ocean! After 12,797 km | 7,952 miles and 260+ days at sea, I will become the first Australian and youngest person to row the Pacific, becoming only the second Australian to ever row an ocean solo. I will be leaving from Lima (Callao), Peru and aiming for Sydney, Australia all to help raise money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and research into finding a cure.
Using the winds and currents as best that I can to my advantage, the plan is for the following….
ROUTE: Starting in Lima, PERU, I will row NW along the Peru Current. Approximately at 10°S I will start my long journey West along the South Equatorial Current heading towards the Marquesas Islands in the Mid-Pacific where I will then change my heading to a SW direction towards Fiji and New Caledonia. At this point, I will change my heading once more in a more Southerly direction travelling along the Eastern Australian Current (EAC) towards Sydney.
Note: This is a non-stop attempt at crossing the Pacific and although there will be a likelihood of me passing Pacific Islands, at no point will I be able to dock. To learn more about my journey, visit my website at www.benturner.com.au
FAQ
How do you bring fresh water with you for 9 months?
Fresh water will come from a solar-powered electric water desalinator that can produce more than six gallons of fresh water per hour. If the main desalinator fails, I will have one handheld back up as well which will actually be connected to my rowing seat and rails so I don’t have to spend 3hrs a day pumping. As well as that there will also be fresh water stored as ballast in my boat in 14 different separated compartments that can be replaced with seawater.
Where do you sleep?
Accommodation is provided in a watertight cabin six feet long and about three feet wide. Like I’ve said before….nice and cozy! In this cabin I will also keep all my navigational and communication equipment. In other words, nothing I want to get wet!
What if there is a storm?
When storms occur, there isn’t much I can do apart from (in my best pirate voice)”batten down the hatches……harrrr”. All loose material must be stored and oars fastened to the boat. I will deploy a “sea anchor”, an underwater parachute that prevents backward drift and minimizes the fall between waves and keeps the boat ‘true’ or straight meaning that I wont be getting hit by the waves side on. I will then take cover in the rear cabin. The boat is designed to withstand thirty-foot seas and will self-right if capsized.
What will you eat?
Nutrition is extremly important on the ocean and most rowers need between 5,000 and 9,000 calories just to maintain their weight. In other words, I will eat the equivalent of 25 Big Macs per day! I will eat mainly dehydrated foods. Basically, these foods are designed to be as easy as pouring boiled water into a bag and and letting it sit for about 10 minutes. The dehydrated foods provide a balanced diet with all the goodies that I need to keep pushing myself like lots of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, fats and iron. I will also have plenty of snacking foods on board as well including scroggin (a mixture of nuts, berries and most importantly chocolate!!) which is used by a lot of hikers & also lollies to nibble on. Also I will consume special electrolyte-replacement drinks. I am also tossing up whether or not to have a sprouting kit on board as well which will be able to grow, peas, lentils, broccoli, and heaps more important (apparently good for you) greens!
How will you navigate?
GPS units, VHF Radio, Sea Me Radar Reflector, AIS Receiver, navigation lights, and pilot charts are all important tools for navigation. GPS units can calculate latitude and longitude, direction of heading, speed and many other useful navigational data. By mounting a plotter GPS on the outside of the boat, I can continually see the direction of heading. A VHF radio will be used for close range communication with passing ships. At night, navigational lights will alert other boats of my presence along with the Sea Me Radar Reflector. Every few minutes a signal will be sent back to my land team updating my position, so that I can be easily tracked if I get into trouble, but more importantly, so that you guys can track my progress!
How are you training?
An essential part of training will include trial rows both in Port Phillip bay and out in Bass Straight. These rows will not only improve physical endurance but will provide experience for life out in open waters and in all conditions. For ocean training, I will be completing several courses including VHF radio, Sea Survival, First Aid at Sea and Celestial Navigation. For physical preparation, I am working to increase endurance with a mixture of high-intensity cardio workouts, weight lifting focused on strengthening the core and back and weekly long rows on the rowing machine.
What if you are injured at sea?
The most common injures for ocean rowers are blisters, salt sores, sunburn, bruises, rashes, pulled muscles and swollen joints. These injuries can all be treated on board as most of them are unavoidable. I will have an extensive medical kit on board and have gained a First Aid certification. I will be able to take rest for my minor injuries as I’m not ‘racing the clock’, but for more serious injuries I will activate the EPIRB (my emergency beacon) for rescue.
Will your progress be tracked?
While I am at sea, I will be tracked via satellites which will update my position every few minutes.
What will you wear?
I will be equipped with breathable and fast-drying clothing. But mainly I will be rowing naked. Don’t laugh! It’s the best way to prevent chafing out on the ocean plus, it will be extremely hot for the majority of my row, so the less clothing the better!
What happends if you capsize or fall overboard?
The Design of my Boat has allowed for the fact that I may capsize. This means, my boat is designed to be self-righting so if I do capsize, I will flip back upright automatically. Whilst out side of my cabin I will be at all times connected to my boat via a safety harness something that all solo ocean rower should wear at all times.
What if the equipment breaks?
Prior to my row, I will have several trial rows to fully understand all of my equipment. These are my ’sea trials’ and will take place sometime early in 2011. At sea, I will have backup equipment on board so that I can repair any thing if it breaks, right from my rowing seat and rails to extra plywood and fiberglass in case my boat is holed. An extensive tool kit will provide all the materials needed to repair broken gear. Technical support via the satellite phone from my land team will also be available to assist with equipment failure. Although some of my equipment may break, the row can continue with the basics (oars, food, and water).
What will you bring to entertain yourself?
Ocean rowing is as much a psychological as it is a physical challenge. I will have my ipod (and 3 back up ones) which will have not only my music but things like audio books programmed into it as well. Also, I will have a tonne of DVD’s to watch as well which should keep me entertained. Plus most importantly, keeping in touch with all of you guys through updating my blog online and trying my best to answer all of your questions.
How do you go to the toilet?
Probably the question I get the most! Being A guy, it will be pretty easy for me to go over the side of the boat. I will also have buckets (for number 2). The hardest part will be trying to go to the toilet whilst riding out a storm. In this case I will have bed pans and ’store it’ until I can dispose of it without falling over board (got an image yet?)
