Atlantic rowers adrift after they run out of oars
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two men trying to row across the Atlantic for charity are adrift in the middle of the ocean after all their oars broke in rough seas.
Robert Portal, an actor, and James Cash, a personal trainer, set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 5 December with the aim of rowing 3,000 miles to Barbados. So far they have lost six oars, the last of which snapped in a storm on 27 December. They have been stranded on their boat, Patience, while they await delivery of new oars by their support crew, hopefully on Sunday.
The oarsmen, who have almost no rowing experience, are raising funds for Facing the World, which provides reconstructive surgery for children in developing countries.
Portal, who appears in The King's Speech and The Iron Lady, decided to take up the challenge following the death of his friend and founder of Facing the World, Martin Kelly. The race normally takes between 50 and 60 days to complete, depending on the weather, and the pair are taking it in turns to row in two-hour shifts.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments