Freak mishap cruels rower's record bid
One of the seven Indian Ocean rowers who left Geraldton for Africa on June 11 is recovering in Australia, after receiving extensive burns to a thigh and arm when hot water spilled on him in rough seas.
University of Melbourne academic Shane Usher was picked up by the cargo ship Nordic River, two thirds of the way through the rowers’ record-breaking attempt to cross the Indian Ocean.
The rowers decided that, with a journey of 30 to 40 days remaining in wet and humid conditions, Mr Usher should be evacuated so he could receive proper medical care.
Mr Usher is back in Melbourne, disappointed but, in his words, “that’s the way life goes”.
He said being part of an ocean row for the first time was a great experience, and he hoped to be involved in another one.
“The food was great, even as ‘an old man’ I was keeping ridiculously well, no physical complaints apart from wet butts which brought their own issues,” he said.
Mr Usher recounted the drama of his transfer to the Nordic River.
Initially he was put in a rescue basket to be hoisted up to the ship’s deck but the crew of the 15-metre Avalon crew had trouble keeping the boat steady, holding out oars to avoid it striking the ship in rough seas.
They drifted towards the stern of the ship, only avoiding running into its huge propellers when one of the oars became wedged in part of the ship, slowing the Avalon’s momentum.
After frantic radio exchanges, the Avalon passed within five metres of the propellers and the rescue attempt was back to square one.
The Nordic River then lowered a lifeboat which moved as close to the Avalon as the two crews dared in the rough seas.
“I squeezed under the side ropes and just leapt into the hatch of the lifeboat,” Mr Usher said.
The crew of the Avalon have resumed their voyage, determined to reach Africa and complete the 8500 kilometre journey.
The voyage was to be from Geraldton to Durban in South Africa, but major storm systems pushed the Avalon in a different direction, so it is now heading to Mombasa in Kenya.
The multi-national crew was brought together by Victorian policeman Tim Spiteri to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research in Australia.
People can follow the progress of the row through www.timsvoyage.com, where donations to MS research can be made.
