A TEAM of firefighters overcame huge waves and strong winds yesterday to row across the Channel.
The team of 21 oarsmen arrived at the Harbour at around 7.15 pm last night after 110 miles and 19 hours of gruelling effort.
Despite the smooth finale, the challenge - which began from Weymouth at midnight on Sunday - had not been easy.
The team had been forced to abandon ship around 30 miles north of Alderney because the weather made changing the crews too dangerous.
Later, the line connecting the rowing boat and a supporting inflatable to the guardboat snapped, and the firefighters had to mount a delicate rescue operation.
And then the rowing boat capsized, which caused some damage and sent one of the six seats to the seabed.
At the last count, the challenge had raised £6,000 for Headway, Age Concern and Jersey Hospice.
Article posted on 3rd August, 2004 - 12.00am
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