GB Row Challenge

HMS Illustrious HMS Illustrious Visitem 08/05 Visit by Grenadier Guards Officers 21st - 25th February 2005 Introduction A team of 2 Officers and 2 NCO's from the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards are scheduled to visit the Ship 21-25 Feb 05 for our passage from Portsmouth to Dublin. Background HMS ILLUSTRIOUS has been affiliated to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards for a number of years and strong links with the Battalion were maintained during the Ship's long refit period in Rosyth. The Battalion are currently deployed in Bosnia.

Aim

The aim of the visit is to give the Grenadier Guards team a dedicated training package in Sea Survival, Navigation, Meteorology and Oceanography in order to prepare them for EXERCISE COCKNEY GB ROW CHALLENGE. This is a non-stop rowcircumnavigation of Great Britain that will be conducted for the first time, by a 4-man crew from the Grenadier Guards. The team will row continuously 24 hours a day for nearly 2 months. The total length of the row is 2110 miles and it will be completed between 21 May and 21 Jul 2005 dependent upon the weather conditions. It is hoped to set a New World Record, for circumnavigating Great Britain in a rowing boat.

In addition the team will be aiming to raise money for and the profile of two very worthwhile charities: The Outward Bound Trust (OB) and Leukaemia Research (Fergus Maclay Leukaemia Database).

Training / Planning

Training began in autumn 2004. By January and February 2005 the team will have built up to 3-4 hrs of training every day. This will lead to practice sea trials in the Solent and around the Isle of Wight. The team will have their first sea trial in February 2005 to confirm medical suitability for the challenge.

Instruction Package

22nd. February AM - Sea Survival, to include: