HIT THE STORM
Bad weather has hit since starting on June 16. A heavy storm ponit even when fishing operations and have lost brig that would have to accompany them for a short period. Waves over 6 meters, wind and rain gave them much hassle, but not scared and boat “Maria”, bought 100,000 pounds in Britain, resisted successfully. “The sailing we have seen and have thought that we returned to port because of the storm. The Black Sea has its specific at times the waves hit you from all sides and always come in pairs. The first it’s unbalanced, and the second you push to one side, there is a risk of overturning . waves falling continuously over us while paddling and I was soaked to the skin. Some were so high that just passed over us and crashing the other side of the boat. we were afraid a little, but we realized that due to the subdivision and ballast, the boat is indestructible nerăsturnabilă and unsinkable. I was however forced to stay at anchor for hours and I lost some time ” Alex says Grove.
The storm left marks and damage autopilot and thus helm. “We were prepared and changed autopilot because it is impossible to go without it in a storm, he adjusts the rudder and direction. He crossed the Atlantic with the rudder and is a wonder that it took so . I had two spare and replaced autopilot “explains Vasile Oşean. Storm coincided with the climax of malaise big five teeth clenching to continue epic.
Sun has appeared only on the fifth day and confidence has reached its peak.Something difficult past, so that they begin to administrative duties. “I put the clothes to dry, because almost all were wet, I arranged the food in the warehouse, we made minor repairs,” says “youngest” Ionuţ Olteanu. Get rid of the storm, they came and sunny with high temperatures over 30 degrees, and the total lack of wind.
“You could not stay more than one quarter of an hour without drinking water. We tanning bad, some boys even chose burns. In addition, the water was very smooth and we hold advance. We fought and with blisters are hands because rowing, but we managed to keep them under control with alcohol. on June 24, was headwind and we realized that any effort is in vain, so I sat at anchor for 6-7 hours. I took a bath in the sea and we relaxed, “recalls Alex Dumbravă.
He brought sunshine and dolphins around the boat, the lovely mammals and every day greeting the five intrepid. Last day flowed smoothly to the end point of the journey, the Georgian port of Batumi, where they appeared at 9:01 p.m. local time, was greeted by some of the families and friends, come mainly from Romania.
” It was exactly what we wanted. In difficult times, to prepare us to cross the Atlantic, but not so difficult that we stop road. We missed home land, but I tried not to think too much, and messages of encouragement coming from the country gave us more power, “adds Andrei Roşu.
Bad weather has hit since starting on June 16. A heavy storm ponit even when fishing operations and have lost brig that would have to accompany them for a short period. Waves over 6 meters, wind and rain gave them much hassle, but not scared and boat “Maria”, bought 100,000 pounds in Britain, resisted successfully. “The sailing we have seen and have thought that we returned to port because of the storm. The Black Sea has its specific at times the waves hit you from all sides and always come in pairs. The first it’s unbalanced, and the second you push to one side, there is a risk of overturning . waves falling continuously over us while paddling and I was soaked to the skin. Some were so high that just passed over us and crashing the other side of the boat. we were afraid a little, but we realized that due to the subdivision and ballast, the boat is indestructible nerăsturnabilă and unsinkable. I was however forced to stay at anchor for hours and I lost some time ” Alex says Grove.The storm left marks and damage autopilot and thus helm. “We were prepared and changed autopilot because it is impossible to go without it in a storm, he adjusts the rudder and direction. He crossed the Atlantic with the rudder and is a wonder that it took so . I had two spare and replaced autopilot “explains Vasile Oşean. Storm coincided with the climax of malaise big five teeth clenching to continue epic.
Received as heroes
After celebrating success, the five climbed ashore and experienced evil strange land. “We were elated, and we decided to get fast boat in the sea, but we realized that we hardly keep on his feet. After more than 11 days at sea, wriggle and we struggled not to fall . We sat and I let others handle these things, “says Marius Alexe.
Romanian crew was received warmly Georgians who expedited customs clearance, so surfers to quickly get to the hotel to rest. “They behaved great and we want to thank to! Just that used to be very active on the boat where two o’clock paddling, then two pauses, we did not get any sleep the first day. I was walking like zombie in town, “laughs Alex Dumbravă.
The next day, the five were visited by the President of Georgian Federation of Rowing and were organized city tour.
PREPARE FOR ATLANTIC CROSSING
In mid-December, four of them will participate in the ship “Maria” Atlantic Challenge, a contest that will run from the tiny island of La Gomera, the archipelago of the Canaries, and Antigua, another island located in the Caribbean, average crossing are 60 days. During the race, none of the participating teams not receiving external support and must deal with initial supplies of drinking water and food.
“I checked many of the challenges that we give chest and cross the Atlantic. I saw how well lead boat, we walked to adjustments smoother and felt that we were very used all courses and training started since last year “explains Alex Dumbravă.
“In 11 days I had all kinds of weather as the Atlantic will happen,” adds Andrei Roşu. Race is a charitable, squeezing the funds for environment, health, natural disasters or underprivileged children. The first Romanian team entered in the race’s mission is to raise funds for Hope House Hospice, which began developing a socio-medical campus in Adunatii Copaceni for children diagnosed with rare diseases or life-limiting.
Meeting with “Uranus“
On the way, the little boat “Maria” intersected with heavy ships, the closest passing Russian ship named “Uranus”. “As many trade routes in this area, I met many ships. In the early days, in full storm passed very close to us and for a moment we were afraid lest they hit us . Our boat is quite small and difficult to see on such a time. finally, I got out well, “reveals Andrei Roşu.
TWO DAYS WITH FOOD TO LIMIT
The effort during the expedition meant many kilos less for the five members of the expedition. “The more weakened Andrew, 6 kg, and the rest got out 4 to 5 kg. Since the storm, the first two days did not really have a chance to eat . Then I turned to conventional food on board, canned, dried fruit. Not until he finally experienced food and adventure, the kind of food used by soldiers on mission in Iraq or Afghanistan, “says Alex Dumbravă.
Source: Five Black Sea Romanian crossed rowing a boat, facing severe storms, and high temperatures at the end of 11 days, 6 hours and 1 minutes
