Mortimer businessman in Atlantic world record attempt

Air ambulance fundraiser in villager's memory

A MORTIMER businessman will be part of a team rowing non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean in an attempt to smash the world speed record – and raise funds for the air ambulance.

Richard Wattam, director of engineering company Arcforce, is part of a team of eight experienced rowers from around the world, who will attempt to break the speed of 32 days.

The 2,989-mile marathon will start on January 30, depending on weather conditions, from Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria and will finish in Port St Charles in Barbados.

The crew will be competing for the speed row Blue Riband Trophy and world record.

Headed by one of the world’s most experienced skippers, Simon Chalk of Oceanus Rowing, the eight-man crew of the boat Toby Wallace will row a four-rowing, four-resting pattern, rotating every two hours for the non-stop crossing.

Mr Wattam said: “Ever since completing my first Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race in 2005, which was 125 miles non-stop, I’ve wanted to row across the Atlantic.

“It will be the most physically and mentally demanding challenge I have ever done, and definitely the most life-changing adventure.

“My training programme for the race has been very intense over the last few weeks, and now it’s about packing on the body fat to ensure I have enough reserves to endure the 32 days at sea.”

Mr Wattam is supporting the Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) as his chosen charity in memory of his friend, fellow Mortimer villager Capt Peter Barnes, who died in the Vauxhall helicopter crash in 2013.

Capt Barnes flew for Midlands Air Ambulance and Mr Wattam said raising money for TVAA was important to him as: “It is a great way to remember and honour Peter and everything he did.”

Kate Martin, TVAA’s community fundraising manager for Berkshire, said the TVAA had undertaken 199 life-saving emergency missions in Berkshire in 2015s and Mr Wattam’s support was invaluable to the service, which is entirely funded by the local community.

Sponsors include Berkshire- based company CTS Logistics, Mortimer-based Haines Farm Eggs and Nationwide Metal Recycling, based in Suffolk.

To track the crew’s progress, visit www.oceanusrowing.co.uk. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/Richards AtlanticRow.