SMA train brave veterans for Pacific row
BY Steve Brand | Thursday, February 1, 2018 | News
Former marines, Steve Sparkes and Mick Dawson, are gearing up for an epic journey across the Pacific and we are delighted to announce that we have been given the honour of training the pair.
Steve and Mick will set off on 2nd June 2018 and row 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii in The Great Pacific Race. The duo will be among a fleet of up to twenty competitors and it will take between fifty and sixty days to finish their incredible voyage. But this isn’t just a regular adventure…
The Cockleshell Endeavour
Mick Dawson is a professional sailor and one of the most experienced rowers in the world. He’s had various adventures including rowing the Atlantic Ocean twice and even has a Guinness World Record under his belt (or oar!), as he successfully skippered the first and only rowing boat across The North Pacific Ocean!
Following his successes Mick created the Cockleshell Endeavour Project which originally helped his friend and former Marine, Steve Grenham, who suffered with issues of PTSD and was struggling to find help. 35 years after the pair took part in the islands liberation, they made the successful nine-day circumnavigation of East Falkland in a two-man kayak as part of Mick’s project.
Loss of Sight Doesn’t Have to Mean Loss of Vision
Steve Sparkes, also a Falklands veteran, lost his sight due to a diving accident on exercise during his service in the Corps. Despite this, he has built a new and successful life for himself and is now an inspirational figure within ‘Blind Veterans UK’ and the blind veteran community in general.
Now Mick and Steve have joined forces on this new voyage and Steve is determined to show that a disability of any sort doesn’t need to hold you back. On completion of the row he will become the first visually impaired person to row the Pacific and will hopefully inspire others during the process.
SMA’s Support
Seahaven Maritime Academy are helping to prepare the duo for their adventure.
Working with Steve and Mick, SMA are providing the necessary training that will ensure they both stay safe during the row. Currently both gentleman have completed the Personal Survival Techniques course, and Steve will go on to train in our First Aid and Marine Radio Short Range/VHF courses in the upcoming weeks.
Steve Brand, Managing Director of SMA, has commented,
“Our team has thoroughly enjoyed training both Steve and Mick over the last month. Our ethos here at SMA is to offer excellent training at an affordable price with the emphasis on dealing with people not numbers. We’re extremely proud to have been able to help prepare this pair for their adventure. The charities they are support are fantastic and we look forward to seeing Steve and Mick cross the finish line!”
Seahaven Maritime Academy’s purpose built training facility in the port of Newhaven, East Sussex offers the highest standard of training and certification for everyone, all at a fair price. If you would like more information on our courses please get in touch.
Steve and Mick aim to raise awareness and money for two charities close to their hearts, Blind Veterans UK and The Royal Marines Charity. If you would like to donate please visit their Just Giving page.
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