As you’re aware from my initial statement, late on Sunday 26th May, I managed to sustain an injury to my left shoulder. Although the injury and pain was immediate, the decision to call an end to Row Pacific 2019 was not immediate.

This injury was serious enough to have to call my Shore Support Team, including my Challenge Doctor. The Doctor’s advice was adhered to, which was to take painkillers and rest up.

One thing you have plenty of when you’re rowing an ocean, whether as a crew or solo, is time to think.

Up until this point, the Pacific Ocean was being kind to me. Having pushed hard to row from Choshi Marina out into the Ocean, which was a real slog, I was rewarded with positive rowing conditions and very sunny weather. The Ocean was being kind to me.

I haven’t analysed the data of how far I had rowed over what time scale but what I do know, is that Blossom and I were trucking along nicely, making great progress. This was largely due to Chris Martin (Shore Support Lead and Weather Router) giving me some very accurate ‘Way Points ‘to aim for.  I was also being rewarded further with sightings of dolphins and whales.  

Having rested for about 9hrs or so and weighing up all available options, I called my Shore Support Team and we discussed the various options. The toughest yet most sensible decision was to request extraction by Japan Coastguard.

My Shore Support Team called the coastguard and the Japanese Coastguard patrol vessel ‘Kurikoma’ was dispatched from Shiogama.

Once the Coastguard arrived, they dispatched a launch from the Kurikoma to Blossom. With typical Japanese efficiency, the launch came alongside Blossom, rafted up and moved some of my kit onto the launch (including my EPIRB* and PLB*), then helped me to cross deck as well. After taking several images of Blossom and equipment for report purposes, Blossom was cast off and we made our way back to the Kurikoma. Prior to casting Blossom off, I ensured the tracking device was powered up and active. I hope somehow we can recover Blossom.

Once aboard the Kurikoma, I received a medical assessment, offered a room, the opportunity to wash and then some food.

At approximately 1400hrs, I arrived back in Japan in the port of Shiogama. Whilst in Shiogama, both Customs and Immigration came aboard and processed me so that I could make my way to Tokyo, then on to the UK.