British maritime explorer Dom Mee and Team Quest are currently on standby in the Canary Islands ready for the start of their attempt at breaking the Atlantic Rowing Record.

The team’s aim is to make the crossing to Barbados in less than 35 days aboard a 26 foot rowing boat. The record they hope to beat is currently held by the French set in 1992 and known as the ‘Blue Ribbon of Ocean Rowing’.

Mee (35) know by many for his dramatic rescue in the Flemish Cap area, 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, while attempting to become the first person to cross an ocean on a kite vessel just over a year ago see previous news story here has bounced back from his near death experience with more determination.

Commenting Mee said: “To break the Atlantic rowing record requires a number of things; a well trained and dedicated crew; a well prepared boat and the right weather conditions. At the moment those are all in place, we just hope that the weather is going to hold out, our departure is imminent.”

Mee says that once the boat and all the supplies have been cleared through Spanish customs he and his crew of Ed James, Tom Rendell and Pete Bird are likely depart for the voyage on 12 January.

The weather is absolutely crucial; if the British Ocean Rowing Team are vto break the Atlantic rowing record, especially wind direction; tail winds mean that they will be able to hitch a ride and surf down the adrenalin-pumping Atlantic waves, headwinds mean going backwards and the gloom and despair of being thrashed about on a sea anchor going away from Barbados.

Tactical weather analyst and international yachtsman Mike Broughton looked at the current conditions commenting: “If they could I would advise them to go right now, the conditions are ideal; stable north easterly Trade Winds winds for the next four or five days at least, the Azores High Pressure system is very well established, current conditions are superb fo the team to start the row.”

The record time to beat – east to west – Set in 1992 by La Mondial is 35 days and 8 hours using ten oarsmen and a large vessel.