Roofer’s Atlantic row ends after wave capsizes boat
Posted: Thursday, February 8th, 2024
Roofer Pete Beatty’s brave bid to row across the Atlantic Ocean single-handedly is over after a huge wave capsized and damaged his boat, forcing him to be airlifted to safety, Bishop’s Stortford Independent reported. The 60-year-old of Heath Row, Bishop’s Stortford, set off on the epic 3,800-mile trip from Portimão in Portugal on December 13 to finish in French Guiana in South America in March. But after making some headway he hit trouble due to unfavourable winds caused by El Niño. Pete struggled bravely, but on Day 29 of the voyage he was forced to employ his para-anchor, which stabilised the boat but slowed him down. There followed several days of Pete going around in circles and failing to make progress. Then last Tuesday (January 23) disaster struck when a huge wave knocked the Myrabell over and broke an oar and the oar gate. He was under the water for a short while before getting back in the boat and was in shock. The intrepid rower tried to tough it out, but after 43 days at sea, he was airlifted to safety on Canary Island Lanzarote and then had to arrange the rescue of his beloved boat. After a stressful time trying to pinpoint its coordinates, the Myrabell was located and brought back to Lanzarote. Pete said his decision not to continue the journey had been one not taken in haste, but ultimately, he knew “deep down” it was the right one.
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