Lost Rowing Boat Recovered After Three Years
The wreck of a rowing boat used by a team of U.S. Air Force veterans during a failed Atlantic crossing attempt in 2022 has been located and recovered. The vessel, named Woobie, was found off the coast of western France after drifting for nearly three years. The team, part of the Fight Oar Die (FOD) mission, had aimed to raise awareness for veteran mental health through their participation in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.
Details of the Doomed Voyage
In December 2022, four veterans set out from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, embarking on a challenging journey to row 3,000 nautical miles to Antigua. This race, known as the world’s toughest row, featured around 30 boats, each manned by teams from various countries. The participants anticipated a grueling 45-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
However, just 16 days into the race, disaster struck. A massive wave capsized Woobie, and the crew was unable to right the vessel. Forced to abandon ship, the veterans took refuge in a life raft. After enduring 22 hours adrift in the open ocean, they were rescued by the bulk carrier Hanze Göteborg. The team’s mission, which aimed to highlight the importance of mental health support for veterans, ended in disappointment, but their spirit remained unbroken.
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Recovery and Future Plans
Recently, FOD founder and crewmember Bryant Knight announced the recovery of Woobie. The boat was discovered by a commercial fishing vessel that reported a ‘ghost ship’ to the Marine Rescue Coordination Center in Western France. A recovery team was dispatched, successfully towing the vessel to Port La Rochelle. Plans are now in motion to return Woobie to Mobile, Alabama, next year.
“Woobie has been adrift in the Atlantic for almost three years since her abandonment, and maybe she will help provide us answers to that stormy night in December so that we may better understand and help improve the sport of ocean rowing,” Knight stated. The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, organized annually since 2012, continues to serve as a platform for charitable fundraising and awareness, pushing the limits of human endurance on the high seas.
