Day 4 – Into the rhythm
As the crews complete their 4th full day on the ocean and row into the start of their 5th day we’re starting to see things settle down. Ocean’s Elite are making much more positive progress as they adapt to their new ‘bucking bronco’ environment. These two veterans would never complain or moan about their situation but it’s been clear from watching their live videos (using their operational Starlink system) that they have been finding the trip tougher than they initially anticipated, but things are changing for the better and there’s one small sign that we’ve spotted to indicate this.
When rowing an ocean one of the greatest risks is from being washed overboard and so we instil the crews with a healthy respect for the ocean and require them to be secured to the boat at all times when they are on deck rowing. This is usually via a rated harness build into the lifejacket and a lifeline which clips onto a secure line running the length of the deck. We had noticed yesterday that even when they were in the cabin Ocean’s Elite had been wearing their lifejackets. This would have been easier for them, in some respects as they wouldn’t have had to go through the hassle of removing them on entering the cabin or donning them before getting back on the oars. However, in today’s video the crew had both removed their lifejackets while in the cabin. This is a small but significant indication that they’re now getting into the rhythm of life onboard and are becoming a little more at ease with their environment.
Rowing Stones are also really starting to find their rhythm. The team has reported that JP has stopped being sea sick and has been able to use the bucket for it’s intended purpose. As the crew put it ” A victory over seasickness!” They’ve been asking a few questions about a minor alteration which we’ve suggested in their intended waypoints (a position we’d planned for them to row close to during their journey). We’d moved the suggested position a little to the south to afford the crew slightly lighter winds which they would be more likely to be able to row through (rather than being forced to stop and deploy the parachute anchor). The fact that they’re asking questions about why there is a change of this nature, shows that they are focussing on the less vital elements of ocean rowing which gives us extra confidence that they’re starting to mentally relax a little from the initial stress of being at sea.
