An Isle of Wight HGV driver is set to take on the monumental challenge of rowing across the North Atlantic Ocean in aid of 2 Island services.
George Jenkins driver, Jacob, decided to undertake the challenge after a conversation with his brother, Adam, who was about to conduct a sailing passage across the ocean.
The rowing journey across the harsh North Atlantic will take up to 4 months to complete, and Jacob will be completely alone in his 20ft rowing boat for the duration.
Jacob, from Shanklin, explains where the idea for the challenge came from:
“I had never heard of ocean rowing until my brother Adam mentioned it, so I suggested to him, let’s row the North Atlantic.
“Well during our planning of this Adam decided to sail the route by himself from the Isle of Wight to New York and back, a dream he had had for a long time. Becoming the first type one diabetic to sail this solo. After three months at sea, on his return, Adam said to me: ‘Jacob, there’s no way I’m rowing a rowing boat across that ocean’.
“So on that, we let the project rest. Well, guess what… it’s come alive again, but this time with one rower… Me!”
Only 4 people have successfully rowed the route solo since 1896 – 2 SAS commandos, one Everest summiteer, and an extreme ocean kayaker. Truck driver Jacob, who has for the last 5 years worked taking recyclable waste off the Island to be processed, has definitely got his work cut out.
During the row, Jacob will be raising awareness and funds for Young Minds and CCHAMS – both of which are mental health charities and services for young people.
Jacob says:
“I personally know how difficult life can be, coping with mental health and the pressures it puts on families.
“I’ve struggled with depression and social anxiety throughout my life. I really hope this project can make a difference and inspire kids.”
To get his boat fitted out with the necessary and important navigation and satellite communication systems, safety equipment, and for all the other equipment needed for such a challenge, Jacob needs to raise £125,000.
He adds:
“What I’m hoping for is people to feel inspired to donate towards this unusual project,.
“If you are a company who sees possibilities in being a part of this venture as a corporate sponsor, please do get in touch.”
You can find Jacob’s crowdfunding page here.
Be more use to the nation to keep driving trucks atm.
Good luck to you “Jacob the rowing trucker”. An incredible challenge.
Yeah, if I worked there I would want to be in the mid Atlantic also.
Bet he gets a phone call asking how long will he be.
If I may…
Firstly best of luck, however….
Please provide an itemized bill of how and where you’re going to spend £125,000. Then I shall sponsor you.
Secondly, how are you going to train for this expedition in regards to learning ocean weather systems, GMDSS, ocean navigation and sea survival to name just a few. Will you be using INMARSAT C? NavTex? Etc.
I don’t want to rain on your parade so Island Echo please don’t delete this comment. But it’s a difficult en-devour for even an experienced yachtsman to cross an ocean yet they can do it on 1/10th of Jacobs budget.
Why not just crack on and row across the ocean self sponsored?
I think this is a fair enough question.
Maybe it’s just the way the article is written, but it does read like it was an almost spur-of-the-moment decision. Doesn’t it take a lot, and I mean a LOT, of training? It would be more reassuring if the article said that he was an experienced sailor, but it doesn’t unfortunately. And, £125,000? Doesn’t he already have the boat and equipment as his brother has already done this trip? So, yes, an idea of what the money would be used for would be good. It’s all a bit lacking on information at the moment.
Yep, good shout, and good luck to the fellow. But I doubt if he even reaches the needles. It only sounds like he is going solo because no one wants to go with him. Still, plenty of cash for a few tots of rum, Dutch courage etc.
( I might volunteer my services ). Hic.
Very fair questions and thanks for the best of luck. Ocean rowing boats aren’t cheap costing £60k and up depending on the material and nav and communication system set up and the bill for using satellite coms for sending back video and images for people who are following can go into the thousands.
I’ve been in touch and followed two guys who done the crossing this year alone. One with a sextant. He advised me to add on 50k on top of the boat build . This includes the shipping of the boat to the states and possible recovery. Food ,safety equipment, survival suit ,life raft, foul weather gear etc. I also need four months of income to keep my family alive.
I done my yacht masters many years ago and my brother is a professional yachtsman so I have a good teacher on hand. I can’t use his boat as it’s a yacht which is unfortunate and not with him anymore.
Any money that’s not needed for the project will be donated to the two charities I’ve chosen.
Im planning on 2023 as the window for rowing the North Atlantic is may/June giving me not enough time to train and organise the mission.
This is definitely not a spare of the moment idea it’s been sitting with me for a good few years when I tried to do it with my brother. The seed was sown .
Im a man of few pennies otherwise I would love to crack on a self fund.
This challenge is about facing and embracing all the emotions the doubts the fear the excitement the lack of experience and everything this will throw at me and going for it regardless of people’s opinions. Digging deep into the soul of mans/women’s natural instinctive ability to survive and explore and not give up. I hope life will give me the opportunity to take on this adventure and inspire a few folk Amongst us in need of it.
Thanks for the questions and support
Kindest, jacob
Surely you should of saved income for your family, why should public pay to feed your family whilst you go on a trip. Has your boss not offered that anyway .. have you raised anything yourself ?or do you expect the public to fund it all?
Good luck geezer, It is great to see normal folk doing amazing things.
( Still think your a bit nuts tho ). Lol X