[Paddlewise] Failed Atlantic Crossing

Here's a reposting (with permission) about the the transatlantic crossing
attempt. You can subscribe to further updates at the website
http://www.outdoorchallenge.co.uk/nakc2000. Hope they repair the boat and
get going again.
"Dear Subscriber,
Everyone involved with NAKC2000 has had a busy couple of days.
The media interest in Peter's near disaster has been intense and
has taken us all by surprise. Peter and Jim over in Canada have
been giving interviews virtually non-stop since Peter got out of bed this
morning. Newspaper, television and radio reports have carried the story,
and for the most part they have been accurate. There are a couple of
details that the media picked up on and reported that are not correct --
we understand how these misunderstandings can occur, but I thought I might
take this opportunity to put the record straight on one or two things.

Some reports said the kayak sunk. We are not sure where this
idea came from but the kayak did not sink. I hope to have pictures
of it being lifted ashore some time later today and will post them on the
website when I do. The kayak was rigorously tested by the Royal National
Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) in the UK before it was shipped to Canada and we
remain confident that only the severest of damage could result in a
sinking.

The kayak was not found belly-up. I reported early on Sunday,
June 18, that it had been, but corrected this later the same day.
The information received from the fishing vessel that first sighted
the drifting kayak was that it was lying upside down in the water.
We were puzzled at the time because during the RNLI test, we had
great difficulty rolling the kayak and every time we managed to get
it upside down it popped right side up like one of those stupid toys you
can't knock over. I found it difficult to believe it was belly-up but
faithfully reported what we had been told. I should have gone with my gut
feelings. It appears that the fishermen mistook the high profile of the
kayak's sleeping quarters for its hull. Our confidence in the kayak's
stability was not misplaced but the press picked up on the capsize story
and almost all reports say the kayak had rolled onto its back. It had
not.

There have been a whole bunch of other contradictory statements
in the media but mostly they have been minor details. On the
whole the media have been sympathetic towards the disappointing
end to this year's record attempt and we can't blame them for
getting things like distances from shore and the exact details of the
rescue a little garbled -- it has taken us a day or so to piece together
the exact sequence of events and we have had full access to all
information.

I hope to have more pictures and further details of the events of the last
few days in a couple of days or so. I will send out the next e- mail as
soon as I have more to report but in the meantime you might like to check
the website now and again just in case.

On the phone today, Peter asked me to pass on his best wishes. I
know he has been touched by the great many messages of
support and condolence he has received. I spoke to Jim Rowlinson
in Canada tonight and he told me that Peter has gone early to bed.
Jim says that the reality of the setback has only now registered
fully with Peter. Two years of focussed determination have ended
in failure and he has been forced to set his sights on next June --
planning for NAKC2001 was never on the schedule. Knowing that
so many people have shown an interest in his efforts will
undoubtedly help him come to terms with his misfortune.

Best wishes,
Chris Howell"


Regards,
Peter Treby
37° 42' S 145° 08' E


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