Reading rower Aodhan rescued in Atlantic drama
Published 31 Jan 2012 16:00
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Aodhan Kelly, in the black, with crewmate Simon Brown behind him
A READING man is reported safe and well after an epic Transatlantic rowing challenge ended in near disaster.
Aodhan Kelly, a 26-year-old Dubliner who works as an editorial assistant for a Reading digital publishing company, was aboard the 36-foot Sara G with his five crew mates when the rowing boat capsized in rough seas in mid-Atlantic around 520 miles from Barbados.
They were 27 days into a bid to break the 30-day record for rowing the 3,000 miles from Morocco to Barbados after being recruited by skipper and Guinness World Record holder Matt Craughwell.
Trials for the gruelling Atlantic Odyssey challenge began last April and the rowers had to prove both their mental and physical strength to win a place in the crew. Aodhan, a former member of the Irish national squad, competed for Reading Rowing Club at last summer's Henley Royal Regatta,
The rescue operation was co-ordinated by coastguards in Falmouth, working with their opposite numbers on the island of Martinique, after the Sara G's distress calls were picked up. The six rowers managed to launch a life raft and lash it to the side of their upturned boat until help arrived in the shape of Panamanian cargo ship Nord Taipei which was diverted to the scene by the coastguards.
The Nord Tapei's captain reported that the six men had been plucked to safety from the life raft and he was heading for Gibraltar.
When Aodhan, who lives in Coley Avenue, spoke to the Chronicle in November he told us: "As a rower I'm well used to pushing myself to the limits and beyond, but the Atlantic is going to be something like I have never experienced.
"I'm looking forward to what should be the adventure of a lifetime and hopefully my name in the record books."
The other crew members are Ian Rowe, Simon Brown, Yaacov Mutnikas and Mark Beaumont, who all live in other parts of the country.
Aodhan was raising money for children's charity Plan UK which helps poverty stricken girls across the world complete their education.
Kevin Machin, the charity's Community Fundraising Manager, said: "Aodhán is an avid rower and a great supporter of our work.
"We wish Aodhán and the team the very best. We are sad to hear their record attempt ended like that but are glad to hear he and the rest of the crew are safe."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 31 Jan 12
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