E365> Rowing News - Capsized! Ghandi Loses Essential Equipment, Won't Quit

 

E365> Rowing - Friday June 08 2007

E365 -- Poor Bhavik Ghandi - this dude is having a tough time. The hapless Indian is trying to become the first Asian to cross the Atlantic, unaided, in a rowing boat, solo. Ghandi has been on a roller coaster of a ride for the last 100 days, suffering salt wounds, malfunctioning equipment, near-misses with tankers, and Kenny G. Then, just four days away from his finishing point in Antigua, the worst happened - he capsized.

Ghandi's daily update on his website the night before he capsized (Tuesday) has a chillingly prescient sign off: "The wind has started to pick up a bit and the swell is back. Its going to be a difficult nights row without the rudder. The boats already rocking and rolling a bit more than Elvis."

Then, the next day, instead of the normally eloquent post accompanied by photos, was a short SMS: "CAPSIZED LAST NIGHT. 3AM LOCAL TIME. NO ELECT. NO COMP. BROKEN OAR. TRYNG 2 FIX. PLS POST WEBSITE. NO BODY MSG ME. SAVING SATPHONE BATTERY. I WILL CAL 4 RESCUE MAYBE."

With 200kms to go Ghandi had lost all communication save for SMS, had no radar warning near major shipping lanes, no electricity, and no rudder. About the only things he does have are a back-up oar and his ARGOS position beacon.

Despite all that, what did the plucky Indian say the next day?

"DONT WANT RESCUE"

Ghandi is now trying to repair his solar panels to get some electricity going, but how successful that is may hinge on whether he can dry his battery compartment.

Luckily, being so close to the coast, he is in contact with the Falmouth Coastguard. But Ghandi wants to complete the feat entirely unaided.

More power to him, we say.

Good luck, Bhavik!

E365> Rowing News - Capsized! Ghandi Loses Essential Equipment, Won't Quit