Solo ocean rower Daryl Farmer was forced to abandon his attempt to row from California to Hawaii while competing in the Great Pacific Race. Farmer became seriously dehydrated as a result of sea sickness just four days into the race.
The British rower called race officials for assistance 20 nm off the California coast and was taken in tow by a support boat on June 21. Sea conditions deteriorated during the tow resulting in the towline parting and a man-overboard situation involving one of the crew of the support boat. The crewman was rescued, but Farmer was forced to abandon his ocean rowing vessel, Bojangles (aka Bo).
 |
|
British ocean rower Daryl Farmer was forced to abandon his boat Bojangles just four days into the Great Pacific Race after becoming severely dehydrated from seasickness. |
|
Daryl Farmer |
Farmer hoped that his attempt to row the 2,400-nm race would help raise awareness of the need to protect the world’s oceans from pollution and overfishing.
Having abandoned the race and his boat, Farmer and his supporters — which include Pete Bethune from Earthrace Conservation in New Zealand; Peggy West-Stap from Monterey Bay Marine Life Studies; the U.S. Coast Guard and the Shark Research Institute — are focused on recovering Bo, a silver, 24-foot carbon/kevlar craft.
