Coastal Odyssey UK Rowing Expedition
Sponsored by the Marine Data Exchange and The Crown Estate
GB Row Challenge is an organisation dedicated to supporting rowing expeditions around the UK since 2005. It hosts what is considered the toughest rowing race in the world, where teams row over 2,000 miles unassisted around Great Britain. This challenge combines sport with scientific research, emphasising navigation, tidal knowledge, and endurance.
For more information, visit GB Row Challenge.
We are proud to sponsor Team Coastal Odyssey in the GB Row Challenge 2024. This team, composed of six amateur rowers, aims to become the first mixed team to circumnavigate the UK unsupported. Departing from Tower Bridge they will cover 2,000 miles, collecting crucial biodiversity and pollution data. Their efforts will support environmental research conducted by the University of Portsmouth and will be hosted on The Crown Estate’s Marine Data Exchange. The team is also raising funds for Surfers Against Sewage, promoting ocean conservation.
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 biodiversity data collected by rowers in previous years provided one of the most detailed baselines of British coastal biodiversity for fish, mammals and birds using eDNA analysis.
By taking on the challenge and propelling themselves around the shoreline of Britain, the team is collecting data with the lowest carbon intensity. In contrast, a fuelled research vessel undertaking the same work could cost over £500,000 and produce 2,000kg CO2.
Data types being collected
Temperature & Salinity
Biodiversity
Underwater Soundscape
Microplastics
The data collected by Team Coastal Odyssey during the GB Row Challenge is crucial for The Crown Estate and the Marine Data Exchange as it enhances our understanding of marine biodiversity and pollution. By compounding, analysing, and sharing data on microplastics, eDNA, temperature, noise, and salinity, we gain insights into the health of marine ecosystems supporting out nature strategy. By facilitating informed decision-making, this initiative helps achieve our goals of protecting marine ecosystems and promoting sustainable use of seabed resources. When published, it will provide valuable resources for academics, industry, and NGOs, fostering collaboration and further research into marine conservation.
Live Updates
Day of Expedition: 49 days 1 hour 40 minutes 19 seconds
Miles Travelled: 1518.7 nautical miles
June 22nd-25th:
- Eventually, a weather window appears allowing the team to row straight through the Celtic Sea to Ireland
June 27th:
- Evening was spent fighting unfavourable weather systems to avoid maritime traffic forcing the deployment of the parachute anchor
June 28th-July 4th:
- After arriving (and sheltering) in Rosslare, Ireland, Coastal Odyssey hug the east coast of Ireland making good progress northwards
- Battery on the vessel was low requiring prioritisation of navigation and reprioritisation of communication and water pumping devices
July 6th-8th:
- After tearing off the coast of Ireland Coastal Odyssey enter Scottish waters!
- Beginning a few days of winding through the Inner Hebrides
July 9th (HALFWAY!!):
- Arrived at Skye Bridge marking the half way point celebrated with whisky and smiles
July 10th-14th:
- Great progress is made sheltered by the Outer Hebrides
- They make their way to the Pentland Firth past Cape Wrath before turning South!
July 15th-22nd:
- Progress is fast as the sprint to London begins
- They reach the Humber from John o' Groats within a week
- £5000 Raised! Keep donating to SurfersAgainstSewage to support the great work they are doing
July 23rd-28th:
- Combination of a weather window and the end being in sight made for exceptional progress making it to the Thames from Grimsby in five days
July 29th:
- Tides and lock timings meant the team had to wait in the Thames for a day before crossing the finish line
Previous GB Row Reports
Thus far in the five year plan that commenced in 2022 two years of data have been collected, processed and analysed by the University of Portsmouth and GB Rowing Challenge.
The ability to compare the data inter-annually reveals patterns and trends in ocean temperature, pollution, and diversity summarised in the reports here.
For more information, visit GB Row Challenge.
