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RRS James Cook rescues Atlantic rower from jaws of hurricane

19 August 2009

The Royal Research Ship James Cook has today successfully rescued a solo rower attempting to cross the Atlantic. The rescue occurred at around 12:30 BST in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Isles of Scilly.

The rower, Peter Bray, was 43 days into his 1,940-miles (3,121km) journey from Newfoundland to the Isles of Scilly in his boat Black Knight when forced to abandon his attempt. He was hoping to beat the current 64-day world record for rowing solo across the Atlantic, in the process raising cash for Help For Heroes. But with deteriorating weather and sea conditions and already experiencing a hazardous 6m (20ft) swell and 46mph (74kph) winds, he put out a Mayday alarm when 920 miles (1,480km) west of the Isles of Scilly.

The Mayday was received by Falmouth Coastguard (FCG) and relayed to the RRS James Cook, which was in the vicinity. Robin Plumley, Master Mariner based at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS), says, "The Master of the James Cook called me at about 23:20 last night (18 August 2009) to advise the vessel had received a Mayday Relay message from FCG. FCG were contacted to ascertain the full situation and the ship was requested to proceed to the site of the incident. This was an urgent request for immediate evacuation of a rower (Peter Bray) on a passage from Newfoundland to Scilly Islands. The initial position was given as 48-55N 029-20W. The vessel was at a distance of 110 nautical miles."

Once the RRS James Cook reached the stricken rowing boat, Bray was embarked with his immediate personal possessions. His boat was abandoned.

Bray is a former SAS commando from Cornwall who in 2001 kayaked solo across the north Atlantic, becoming the first person to achieve this feat.

He is in good health and is expected to remain on the RRS James Cook until its arrival in Falmouth 9 September 2009.

The RRS James Cook, a state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel, was delivered to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in 2006. She is managed by NERC's National Marine Facilities Division, based at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, and carries scientists to some of the Earth's most challenging environments, from tropical oceans to the edge of the ice sheets. The 5401 tonne vessel houses eight science laboratories and can accommodate up to 31 scientists and 23 officers and crew. Its deck areas have specialised handling equipment which can deploy remotely operated underwater vehicles to explore the deep oceans and sea floor.

The ship left Southampton on Saturday 1 August 2009 on a six-week expedition to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the chain of underwater mountains that runs along the middle of the ocean floor, to study the animals that live in the very depths of the Atlantic.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Dr Rory Howlett
NOCS Press Officer
Tel: 023 8059 8490

Press release: 14/09