ASA's Applied Science Weblog

Trans-Atlantic solo expedition rower gets a little help from predicted winds and currents

With only oars to power him, Paul Ridley attempts a historic solo trans-Atlantic expedition for the cause of cancer research, as he rows for 10-12 hours per day with little help coming from anything more than favorable ocean currents and wind direction.  When the wind, waves, and currents don’t cooperate, the journey called Row for Hope, becomes more challenging and uncertain.  ASA’s SARMAP and EDS: Environmental Data Server—a combination of search and rescue technology and real-time and forecast ocean data system was voluntarily used by Jonathan Cornelius, of Antigua Barbuda Search and Rescue (ABSAR), to look at possible drift scenarios for family and friends who are anxiously awaiting Paul’s landing in Antigua. “Jonathan was wonderful, providing the perfect mixture of calm presence, knowledge of local waters, and up-to-the-minute computerized wind/current data,” stated Paul’s father on the Row for Hope blog as he described how ASA’s cutting edge technology and Jonathan Cornelius was helpful in providing advice and predicting and tracking how Paul and his small craft, Liv, is affected by the Atlantic ocean’s winds, weather and currents.

 

In a custom built boat, Paul’s unsupported trans-Atlantic expedition began in the Canary Islands in December 2008. His planned route is to row as directly as possible from Africa to Antigua, crossing the whole of the Atlantic Ocean. Currently on Day 85 of his crossing, he’s rowed more than 3,000 nautical miles, with a planned landing in the Caribbean in Spring 2009. While at sea, Paul has slept in an enclosed cabin not much bigger than himself, and row 10-12 hours each day.  Though Paul is in contact with a land-based support team via satellite phone, he’ll be entirely alone on the open ocean with no chase boat or means of resupply.   With only about 100 miles to go, Paul closes in on English Harbour, Antigua, and it looks like his expedition will be successful.  But helpful and reassuring to Paul and his family, ASA’s SAR technology exists and is in the hands of willing and capable people like Jonathan Cornelius.

 

For more information about Row for Hope visit, http://www.rowforhope.com

How Are People Lost at Sea Found?

How does the U.S. Coast Guard conduct searches for people stranded in bodies of water, including two National Football League players and their friend missing off the Florida coast?

ASA's EDS: Evironmental Data Server and SAROPS are highlighted in this Scientific American Ask the Experts Interview.

To find out how authorities go about finding those lost at sea or in other vast waters, ScientificAmerican.com spoke with Art Allen, a physical oceanographer with the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue and lead collaborator with ASA on the development of SAROPS: Search & Rescue Optimal Planning System.

 

>>Read the Scientific American interview and learn more about how people lost at sea are found.