Incredible moment Cornish rowers save turtle tangled in ghost gear during Atlantic race

  • Watch the moment the rowers from Looe set the turtle free

A team of four rowers from Cornwall are now over half way across the Atlantic Ocean, having rowed around 2,000 miles, and are currently in first place in the mixed category for the World’s Toughest Row.

Kim Tolfrey, Sally Crabb, Nathaniel Rothwell and Harry Poulson, from Looe Rowing Club, make up the Oars of Thunder crew who have been battling all the elements from scorching sunshine to stormy seas.

The Oars of Thunder are taking on the 3000 nautical mile challenge to row the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to Antigua Credit: Oars of Thunder

An unexpected highlight for the crew was being able to help a turtle tangled in ghost gear.

Nathaniel, who is a volunteer for the RNLI, said it was a rewarding moment.

He said: “The crew did really well to come alongside quickly, it was a bit upsetting to start with, it looked really limp, really weak. It had no intention of getting away from us to start but as soon as we started cutting the lines free from her, she picked up strength, gave a big gasp of air and swam away really strongly.

"[It was] probably one of the most rewarding things that I have been able to do so not the encounter I wanted, [I feel] but very, very privileged to have been a part of that one".

Nathaniel said it was one of the most rewarding things he's ever done Credit: Oars of Thunder

Harry Poulson said the challenge is going really well so far.

He said: “We're currently fifth overall of the 38 boats and we're first in the mixed category. We've got a little over 1,200 miles left, having rowed a little over 1,500 nautical miles.

"So hopefully another two weeks and we'll be back in sunny Antigua with our loved ones eating non-dehydrated food and drinking non-desalinated water."

Crew member Sally Crabb said the toughest thing is fatigue.

“We're doing two hours on, two hours off shifts all through the day and night and so it's not bad during the day, but really tricky at night", she said.

The progress of all the 38 crews can be tracked online Credit: World's Toughest Row

"It's just a really short amount of time and then getting back on the oars. We've been supporting each other, getting each other up, trying double shot coffees, and singing to each other, finding ways around the sleep challenges."

Thirty-eight ocean rowing boats with 110 rowers, representing 21 nations, left San Sebastian de La Gomera on 11 December.

The Oars of Thunder are raising money for the RNLI.

Kim Tolfrey says this is helping to motivate the team.

Kim said: "Having the fundraising pot get bigger, meaning that we're actually doing something worthwhile to raise funds for the RNLI in their 200th year is another motivating reason to keep on going."