Row4Ocean: Dakar to Paramaribo

ROW4OCEAN training in Dubai for the 14 December departure.

Row4Ocean
START: 14 DECEMBER 2018 
DAKAR TO PARAMARIBO – 2305 NAUTICA

Eight billion kilos of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year.

Eight billion kilos of plastic are dumped into the ocean every year. For the number crunchers among us, that’s an astounding 22 million kilos of plastic every day – enough to fill over 1500 40-foot containers per day. No wonder our beaches are covered in plastic debris.

Over the course of time, the sun breaks down plastic into micro plastics. Fish and other marine life end up with plastic in their digestive system, which eventually makes it into the human food chain. The problem will be with us for generations.

If we want to do something about it, the time is now; not tomorrow. That’s what  Patrick Bol (DP World Director of Global Operations) aims to do.

Representing the spirit of DP World and backed by Group Chairman and CEO, Patrick has formed a team of rowers to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 27 days or less to collect samples of water and draw attention to the plastic pollution problem – smashing world records along the way.

“We’ve come together from various backgrounds, we’re competitive, we’re passionate, and we’re committed to making a difference,” says Patrick.

“We need more people like Patrick who are brave enough to change the world and create awareness on issues that affect us all,” says DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

A multihull design by John Cable of Mariner Design, New Zealand, is close to completion at Premier Composite Technologies (PCT), Dubai. She will be the fastest Ocean rowing boat ever built. At 39.5 in length, 23 wide, weighing nearly 1500 kgs with a full load “Year of Zayed” is made out of carbon fibre and nomex. She is equipped with the latest technology including Xtra link tracking devices that submit a position every 4 hours. Weather routing is sponsored by Storm Geo who will advise on the best possible window and routing through Ocean currents. The crew are to embark from DP World Dakar, Senegal in December and arrive in DP World Paramaribo, Suriname in early January. Patrick is also setting out to break the world record as he crosses the Atlantic in the world’s most technologically advanced rowing boat, named the “The Year of Zayed” after the founding father of the UAE. Alongside the fastest crossing, the plan is to become the first multihull vessel to row across the Trade Winds 2 route, the African continent to the South American continent; the fastest crossing in a rowing boat with an average speed over 3.7 knots; the most consecutive days rowed over 100 nautical miles a day. During their journey, Patrick and his team will take turns to row 24 hours a day, collecting water samples to track key pockets of pollution across the Atlantic, adding to the oceans’ pollution knowledge bank. It also forms part of our commitment to the Oceans as a sustainability pillar for 2018 and personifies the DP World Founder’s Principles – where determination to succeed is part of our DNA.

Watch this space for updates on the crew and join us in wishing them all the best for a safe and secure voyage. To subscribe to news from Row4Ocean CLICK HEREYou can stay up-to-date with the Row4Ocean expedition by following their activities directly on their social media channels:Instagram – @row4ocean Facebook – Row4Ocean Website   – Row4Ocean.com

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