VHF transceivers support rowing expedition

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 5, 2001

Icom (UK) is supporting a project led by two British Marines Commandos to row across the North Pacific from West to East in a rowing boat without external support, by donating transceivers

Icom (UK) is supporting a project led by two British Marines Commandos to row across the North Pacific from West to East in a rowing boat without external support.

The crossing has already raised an incredible amount of media interest and is the sequel to an Icom sponsored venture made in 1997 when the rowers successfully crossed the Atlantic.

Corporals Tim Welford and Dominic (Dom) Mee will set out from Choshi, the most Easterly point on the Japanese mainland and row directly into the east-flowing Kuroshio or "black current", described as the strongest current in the world.

Five thousand miles of open Ocean and one hundred and twenty days later, they hope to make landfall in San Francisco.

Icom (UK) Ltd are supporting the project by donating 2 IC-M1EuroV waterproof VHF transceivers, 4 IC-446S licence free transceivers and a selection of accessories.

The team will primarily use the IC-M1EuroV's for ship to ship communication and the IC-446S's will be used to co-ordinate the departure from Choshi harbour and arrival in San Francisco.

Tim Welford is already a veteran of such adventures having successfully rowed across the Atlantic in 1997 covering 3,000 miles in just 60 days.

Both he and Dom will be using the same boat named 'Crackers'.

Built from marine plywood and bonded using the 'West' epoxy system she is an extremely strong and durable vessel.

The boat is 7.1 meters long with a 1.9 meter beam and a height from keel to cabin roof of 2.0 meters.

Fully laden with stores she will weigh more than a tonne.

Drinking water generated by a miniature desalination plant provides up to 150 litres of ballast and makes her a fully self-righting boat in the event of capsize.

Alasdair Keir, Pacific Odyssey's Comms Manager said, 'When selecting communications equipment for use on such a demanding expedition, little counts more than reputation and experience.

The team selected the Icom IC-M1EuroV for many reasons, 'We all have had extensive experience of Icom products in the past and our exhaustive trials have confirmed that this was the best VHF handheld radio available.' Alasdair further added, 'Throughout the decision process, and after delivery, Icom (UK) Ltd have provided the team with friendly technical assistance at all times to ensure we deploy with the very best equipment on the market.' In addition to the Maritime mobile VHF requirement, the Team identified the need for short range chat radios.

During inshore filming with BBC Record Breakers, the system had to provide a chat net from boat to boat, boat to shore or vice versa.

The IC-446S was the obvious choice providing effective, local two-way radio communications.

Since delivery, these radios have drawn constant praise from all members of the team.

Dom Mee commented, 'The radios are proving their worth every day by increasing our ability to keep in touch in hectic and confused situations at docksides, media events and during dock operations.

This is quality kit from a quality company.

When used in addition to cellphones and maritime VHF the radios provide an instant network covering all the team's coastal comms needs.' Thanking Icom for their involvement with the project, Tim Welford said; 'Everyone involved with the Pacific Odyssey would like to thank Icom (UK) Ltd for their dedicated, willing and professional assistance'.

Ian Lockyer, Marketing Executive at Icom (UK) Ltd said, 'The project is well prepared, highly organised and has a top line of people working throughout.

As for Tim and Dom they are two of the most motivated men you could hope to meet.

With this type of backing I am sure that the Pacific Odyssey is going to be as successful as the previous Atlantic crossing.'.