Expedition Update | Behind the Scenes of Plan B
- dawnysmiff
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Since arriving into Antigua, the work hasn’t stopped — but the oars have been replaced with logistics, spreadsheets, phone calls, and contingency planning.
After a lot of careful thought, Paul and I have made the decision to change the plan for the next leg of the Hometown Row.
Why the plan changed
Forecasts across our intended route began showing developing low-pressure systems. At best, this would have meant an unprecedentedly long passage — island hopping, extended stops, and sitting hunkered down waiting for weather windows to open.
At worst, the risk was one I simply won’t accept:
missing a safe anchorage ahead of a system and being pushed into danger, potentially requiring outside assistance.
As a commercial and professional mariner, I cannot knowingly put my crew or my boat into that situation. To do so would be professionally irresponsible and could jeopardise my business, reputation, certifications and our safety. That is not a risk I’m willing to take.
There is also a very practical reality behind this decision. I run my own sea school, and as a one-person business it is currently closed while I’m away. Right now, I have zero income. A prolonged and uncertain delay would make this leg financially unviable.
So — we adapted.
The new plan
The boat will now be shipped to the United States, and we will continue the Hometown Row from there.
What that actually means in practice is days of logistics planning, not downtime.
We now have to:
Confirm which port the boat will be shipped into
Arrange resources at the US end to either:
lift the boat back into the water, or
tow her to a suitable slipway near our intended start position
Coordinate shipping agents, port authorities, and ground support
Line up inspections, safety checks, and re-commissioning on arrival
None of this is glamorous — but it’s critical.
Current working timeline (subject to change)
Right now, the best-case working plan looks like this:
Boat ships to West Palm: Wednesday
Sea transit: approx. one week
Boat arrival in the US: around 11th February
Safety checks, prep & inspections: a few days
Soft relaunch window: around 15th February
Row to Fernandina: approx. one week
Estimated arrival: around 21st February
As with everything in ocean rowing, this is fluid. There are a lot of moving parts, and things may shift — but this gives you an idea of the scale of what’s happening behind the scenes.
No downtime — just a different kind of work
Although we’re not rowing right now, there is very little downtime. Every day is filled with planning, coordination, problem-solving, and making sure the next leg is set up safely and properly.
This expedition has always been about endurance, judgement, and adaptability — not just physical effort. Sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones that keep you safe and get you home in the long run.
As always, thank you for following, supporting, sharing, and believing in this journey. We’ll keep you updated as plans firm up and dates lock in.
Dawn
“Together Paul and I are rowing home — the long way round.”
Hometown Row
Leg 1 – La Gomera to Antigua
Leg 2 – Antigua to Florida
Leg 3 – Canada to the UK
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