On an unprecedented bid to break a world record, a reckless father will sail 1,900 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in a tiny 3ft3in (1metre) boat he made himself.
Andrew Bedwell, 48, of Newfoundland, Canada, intends to break the record for crossing the Atlantic with the smallest boat possible next May.
He compared the experience to being “trapped in a wheelie bin for 90 days on a rollercoaster.”
After reading a book by current record holder Hugo Vihlen, who undertook the treacherous journey in a 5ft4in (1.6m) boat 30 years ago, the mariner came up with the concept.
Andrew will survive on a protein-rich material formed around the internal walls of the cockpit to save space throughout his estimated three-month journey.
The thrill-seeking father of one revealed that his wife thinks he’s nuts,’ but that he wanted to accomplish something ‘great’ before turning 50.
‘I always prefer to have a big task on the go – despite the fact that my wife thinks I’m nuts – but I said before I’m 50, I want to have done something extraordinary,’ he said.
‘I’ve done strange challenges my whole life, and it’s gradually become more and more vital to me to go smaller and smaller and smaller.’
‘I suppose a space rocket would have more room,’ he remarked of his custom-built miniature boat, ‘Big C.’
‘It’s like being trapped in a wheelie bin for 90 days on a rollercoaster – and that’s exactly what it could be in the worst-case scenario.’
Andrew, from Scarisbrick, Lancashire, works as a sail manufacturer and delivers yachts all over the world. He’s spent the majority of his life sailing across the world.
He has already sailed nonstop around Britain and has crossed the Atlantic and up to the Arctic Circle on his little 6.5 carbon racing yacht.
Andrew says he became interested as he grew older by seamen who sought to cross oceans in incredibly small, record-breaking vessels.
‘I got Hugo Vihlen’s book, A Stormy Voyage of Father’s Day,’ he said, referring to the current world record holder, who has held the record since 1993.
‘That kind of kicked things off, and since then, it’s been a slow but steady approach to breaking his record.’
Andrew and his team spent more than three years completing the fabrication work on his boat, which stands only 3.5m (11.4ft) tall and has a sail area of only 26ft (8m).
Despite its small size, the mariner is sure that the vessel will be able to navigate some of the world’s most treacherous waters.
‘The vessel itself is extraordinarily sturdy,’ he remarked. It’s actually made to withstand the elements of the sea. On the outside, it’s made of fiberglass, and on the interior, it’s made of foam and fibreglass.
‘Everyone who sees it, even many naval architects, says, ‘She’s sturdy, she’s made to do it,’ and I know she is.’
Many sailors are afraid of their boat capsizing and becoming flooded by water, but Andrew claims he has no such concerns with his.
‘Capsizing isn’t an issue at all since she’s intended to go over,’ he explained. The hatch closes entirely to keep it watertight, and it will self-right.
‘We know she’ll get rolled around and bashed, but I’ve put a full harness in there.’
‘There are also two large ports on the front of the vessel, which will slam shut if waves hit them, preventing any water entrance.’
‘And if it’s sealed, I’ve got 40 minutes of air,’ says the narrator.
During the journey, Andrew will eat a cold protein-based diet that will encapsulate his body around the boat’s walls to save room.
‘My wife is going to make these protein bags, basically, of food,’ he said. Then we’ll mold them into the hull to make the most of the available space.
‘It’ll taste awful, but it’ll get the job done.’ Andrew will have an onboard desalinator, which will give him with fresh drinking water throughout his journey, but he will have little amenities other than that.
‘We’ll be reducing my food intake to the point where I won’t have many bowel movements, but if I do, I’ll be over the edge,’ he said.
‘My one luxury item will be a flannel, and it will serve me well for everything.’ I’ll only bring one change of clothes because there’s no room for any more.’
Andrew aims to arrive to Lizard Point in Cornwall between July and August of next year, but understands there will be dangers along the route.
‘There are hazards, but we’re equipping the ship with as much safety equipment as possible so that every other vessel can see us at all times,’ he said.
‘We want the captains to be aware of us as we travel over one of the main shipping routes in poor visibility and heavy weather.’
‘I’ll be calling as many as I can to ensure they’re aware of my existence.’
‘However, would I be content if I wrapped myself in cotton wool and tried not to do anything? No, so I’ll have to take some chances.’