AN ISLANDER who rowed solo and unassisted across the Atlantic Ocean has shared his story, explaining how his boat was almost destroyed by cargo freighters, capsizing twice and experiencing a shark attack!

Simon Howes rowed for 72 days from Puerto Rico Marina in Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia, a distance of 2,898 nautical miles or approximately 1.6m oar strokes, in his Atlantic Rower to help save red squirrels from extinction.

The previous solo Atlantic record time was 116 days, which Simon smashed by over 43 days, but it was not easy!

Isle of Wight County Press: Simon Howes was surprised by his family in St Lucia after completing his solo Atlantic rowSimon Howes was surprised by his family in St Lucia after completing his solo Atlantic row (Image: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority)

Simon explained: “I had several close encounters with oil tankers and cargo freighters.

“My boat was saved from destruction by my AIS system and calling ships using VHF, normally in high seas, where Atlantic Rower was almost invisible in the swell, being only 8m long.

“I suffered two knock-downs (overturning 175 degrees) in 35–40ft waves.

“One knock-down broke an oar in half, the other smashed the plastic deck hatches causing 37 per cent of my food to be saturated.”

Isle of Wight County Press: The Atlantic Rower tackling a stormThe Atlantic Rower tackling a storm (Image: Simon Howes)

On his journey, Simon encountered some of the Atlantic’s sea life, including being surrounded by lethal Portuguese man o' war jellyfish.

The 67-year-old said: "I suffered one frenzied prolonged shark attack near the end of the voyage at night on the rear of the boat.

“I had an extraordinary encounter with four sperm whales. Two of them came right alongside the boat, presumably because they heard the sound of the oars in the water."

Isle of Wight County Press: The Royal Victoria Yacht Club ensign looking worse for wear and the Atlantic Rower in Puerto Rico Marina prior to voyageThe Royal Victoria Yacht Club ensign looking worse for wear and the Atlantic Rower in Puerto Rico Marina prior to voyage (Image: Simon Howes)

He also shared how he was escorted by several Dorado fish for almost 600 miles, a tropical bird practised landing and take-offs from the solar panel and was visited daily by an albatross he nicknamed Albert.

Simon, who had suffered sleep deprivation during his voyage, had a huge surprise after eventually reaching land in the Rodney Bay Marina at 5.45am, discovering his wife, children, and family were there to greet him.

Isle of Wight County Press: Atlantic Rower being loaded into a container in Rodney Bay, St LuciaAtlantic Rower being loaded into a container in Rodney Bay, St Lucia (Image: Simon Howes)

He said: “Sean Devaux, CEO of IGY Rodney Bay Marina, was also there to greet me.

“He and his team at IGY Marina were simply fantastic, helping with everything, including lifting Atlantic rower into a container for shipment back to the IOW.” 

Isle of Wight County Press: One of the four sperm whales swimming alongside Simon's Atlantic RowerOne of the four sperm whales swimming alongside Simon's Atlantic Rower (Image: Simon Howes)

Simon has raised a staggering £87,983 toward his £100k goal for the IW Red Squirrel Trust’s woodland project.

Fundraising has not yet finished, and you can donate to Simon's JustGiving page HERE.