John to row solo across the Atlantic

Mar 27 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH adventurer John Mollison has his heart set on completing a gruelling 3500-mile solo Atlantic crossing.

The gung-ho 49-year-old father of two plans to row his way into the record books.

And the Falklands War veteran, who lost a leg clearing a minefield two days after the conflict ended in 1982, will be flying the flag for the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association – BLESMA – which supports 4200 military amputees across the country. The charity operates a residential home in Crieff.

Now a successful property manager in the Fair City, the one-time 59 Commando Squadron Royal Engineer yesterday unveiled plans for his “Shepherd Purple Heart Ocean Row” from New York to Scotland.

Englishman Olly Hicks, currently undertaking a round-the-world row, is the only Briton to have completed the notorious west to east route and he was at the mercy of the sea for 124 days, with rations loaded during the trip. But John aims to complete the voyage unsupported.

The odds may be stacked against him but 12 months ago John became the first competitor with an artificial limb to complete the notorious Sandbaggers’ Gobi Desert Challenge.

And the Fair City adventurer will limber-up for his assault on the Atlantic by tackling the strength-sapping, 160-mile, six-day Scottish Ultra Challenge in Jura and Islay.

He admitted: “Friends think I’m mad and they’re probably right. They bought themselves flash sports cars or an expensive watch when they hit a mid-life crisis – but I’ve bought a boat!

“I was a reserve and fund-raiser when four of my ex-military pals rowed the Atlantic three years ago as part of the Commando Joe team’s series of extreme challenges, which have included a polar expedition and the Gobi Desert ultra.

“With backing from local surveyors J&E Shepherd, they have raised more than £250,000 for the Meningitis Trust, in memory of an army friend’s son.

“That experience planted the seeds and now it’s full steam ahead. I don’t think any amputee has ever attempted to row the Atlantic single-handed so it could create a few records.

“But that would be a bonus. Getting home safely to my wife Lesley, and our teenage sons Edward and Scott, is my primary concern.”

Surviving on army ration packs and 5000 calories a day, John and his experienced support team are aware the crossing will take a heavy toll, pushing him to the limits mentally and physically.

“You can lay all the foundations and factor in all the safety measures – and I am tapping into experienced supporters – but ultimately this is the North Atlantic and I’ll be at the mercy of Mother Nature.

“I could be facing 100-foot seas and nothing can prepare you for that.”

The Falklands veteran, who was among the first troops to liberate Port Stanley from the Argentine occupation, rebuilt his life in civvy street after stepping onto a mine overlooked in an earlier sweep.

He lost his right leg below the knee and the blast tore apart the calf muscle on his left leg.

Now, he sees military casualties returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and that has spurred him on to support BLESMA, which runs residential homes in Crieff and Blackpool.

John said: “I have a long association with BLESMA and they do sterling work, providing invaluable support to military casualties.

“Their work is more vital then ever, given the toll being taken by conflicts in Iraq and now Afghanistan.”

Explaining the name adopted for the 2009 expedition, John said: “The sacrifices of American military personnel in the service of their country is recognised by the award of a Purple Heart.

“It is tangible recognition, providing a degree of solace to widows and families. There is no similar award in the UK and I believe that to be wrong.”

The boat selected has completed the Atlantic crossing in a four-man set-up. It is being converted to a one-man configuration by Scots Atlantic rowing veteran and “Orca” designer, Roy Finlay, at his Shelter Island in America.

John flies out next month for sea trials.

The Purple Heart expedition will depart New York in early June, via a canal route to Cape Cod, where the record attempt will begin in earnest.

On returning to Scotland, John plans to row back to Perth via the Forth-Clyde Canal and the River Tay.