Mermaid Atlantic complete 3,000 nautical mile World’s Toughest Row

The Mermaid Atlantic team have completed their unsupported, 3,000 nautical mile row across the Atlantic in the World’s Toughest Row.

The team landed at Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua at 22:45 local time on 25th January, where they were met by friends and family who had gathered to meet them as the team finished third in the trio category.

Mermaid Atlantic is made up of three Isle of Wight natives: Isle of Wight Distillery Co-Founder Xavier Baker, i-Surf owner Chris Manion and Paul Berry, Ventnor longshoreman and firefighter, who by the end had spent 43 days, 17 hours and 53 minutes at sea together.

They completed their gruelling endurance test in the Rannoch 45 rowing boat named after the team’s main sponsor, Mermaid Gin.

The team battled the elements and pushed themselves to their limits to raise money and awareness of ocean pollution, supporting three local charities: Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust, Surfers for Sewage and The Seahorse Trust.

To date, they have raised £15,000, with donations still coming in.

The team set off from La Gomera, Canary Islands on 13th December 2023 along with 37 other boats.

Even in the first few days, they encountered a number of challenges with unusually rough weather conditions, a broken daggerboard which meant the boat’s stability was compromised and a near miss with a tanker at 2 am in the morning.

Throughout the race the weather continued to play havoc with huge waves and big swells meaning sea sickness was an issue for the crew.

Just as they thought they had got through the worst of the weather, they met with southerly winds which pushed them north. The team deployed their Para Anchor which helped them hold their position and stop going backwards but this meant that progress was slower than expected.

Despite the difficult and challenging conditions the team have enjoyed some lighter moments with amazing wildlife encounters including jumping dolphins and what they believe to be a Ione-mink whale and they made friends with a bird they think is a Wilson’s storm-petrel.

Tuna have been regularly spotted under the boat and in the last week of the race they spotted a Blue Marlin which thankfully decided not to try and spike the boat.

The sunsets and sunrises have helped to keep moral up and they celebrated the halfway mark with a stunning sunset enjoying a Mermaid Gin and Tonic Ready-To-Drink can in front of a glowing sunset. At times the nights were very dark with no moon to guide them but they became masters at navigating with the stars.

Speaking on behalf of the crew, Xavier Baker said, “We have been pushed to the limits both physically and mentally but words cannot express how happy we all feel having completed the race and battled the mighty ocean.

“It was relentless, but to know we had the support of friends, family and sponsors helped to maintain spirits and morale.  We have been overwhelmed by the financial support from everyone and to exceed our fundraising target is just fantastic.

“The money raised will go to three amazing charities and help to protect and preserve the seas and wildlife around our UK shores, which is something that the three of us feel passionate about.”

• The trio hope to raise further funds via their Give Wheel page

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