Team Coastal Odyssey picks up a Guinness World Record after completing 2,000-mile GB circumnavigation challenge
A team of amateur rowers has achieved a Guinness World Record as the first mixed crew of six to circumnavigate Great Britain unsupported, as part of the GB Row Challenge 2024.
Arriving back at Tower Bridge in London on Sunday evening, Team Coastal Odyssey rowed continuously for 49 days to cover 2,000 miles in waters around Great Britain, completing what is described as the world’s toughest rowing race.
In partnership with The Crown Estate, the crew collected samples of microplastics, environmental DNA (eDNA), temperature, noise and salinity data throughout their journey. 59 eDNA samples for biodiversity analysis and 28 microplastic pollution samples were collected, alongside sea temperature data and over 1,000 hours of underwater sound data.
The team gathered this important data through sensors, recorders, samplers and hydrophones attached to their boat, with a significantly reduced carbon footprint in comparison to traditional diesel-powered survey vessels.
The data, which will enhance our understanding of marine biodiversity and the challenges it faces, is to be analysed by the University of Portsmouth and hosted on the Marine Data Exchange (MDE).
The MDE is a world-leading collection of industry survey data, first developed by The Crown Estate in 2013, which supports sustainable development of the seabed whilst protecting the UK’s marine environment for future generations.
The record-holding team is Skipper Patrick Deacon (an offshore wind Blade Repair Technician), Chief Navigator Adam Ravenscroft (a former British Army Signaller and passionate environmentalist), First Mate Joe Benson (Audit Manager and Data Analyst), and crew members Hannah Davies (a vet based at the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine), Lia Evans (a physiotherapist) and Daisy Lucker (a Business Development Manager).
2024 is the third year of GB Row Challenge’s five-year plan in partnership with the University of Portsmouth, researching to preserve marine wildlife.
The interannual nature of the data collection provides the benefit of being able to compare samples over time, and biodiversity data collected by rowers this year will build on previous years to provide one of the most detailed baselines of British coastal biodiversity for fish, mammals and birds using eDNA analysis.
Patrick Deacon, Team Coastal Odyssey Skipper, said: “It’s fantastic to cross the finish line of the world’s toughest rowing race having achieved a world record. We’re all extremely proud of this accomplishment and as skipper I’m immensely proud of the crew’s teamwork and endurance over the last seven weeks.
"It was certainly a rollercoaster being at sea for 49 days, with such unseasonal weather and incredible challenges from early on in the English Channel and Irish Sea. But we didn’t let that affect our spirit and showed resilience while skilfully navigating the seas and changing tides, all with a smile on our face.
“It’ll be great to finally share the data we’ve collected with the University of Portsmouth for analysis and build on our understanding of the marine environment around Great Britain. We were lucky enough to witness a magnificent variety of marine life throughout our journey and are proud to play our part in the preservation of it.”
Chelsea Bradbury, Senior Marine Data & Insights Manager at The Crown Estate, said: “Having watched the crew set off in early June, it’s fantastic to see them return safely and in good spirits. We’re delighted that they’ve achieved a world record as the first mixed crew to circumnavigate Great Britain – their passion, resilience and dedication is awe-inspiring, and they can now celebrate their achievement together with friends and family – on land!
“Our purpose at The Crown Estate is to create lasting and shared prosperity for the nation. A vital element of this is ensuring effective and sustainable management of the seabed and through the data the crew has collected, they have enhanced the understanding of our diverse marine environment which will greatly support this important work.”