A British father attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the smallest boat ever has set sail, three years after his previous vessel sank. Andrew Bedwell, 52, left Newfoundland, Canada, on Wednesday and will sail 1,900 miles alone to the UK. The sailor from Scarisbrick, Lancashire, hopes to complete the voyage on his 3.9ft-long home-built vessel, named the Big CV, in around 90 days.
Before setting off, Andrew said: 'I'm so excited, but this is a huge challenge for me as well. Some say getting to the start is the hardest - I hope so, and then I can look forward to doing what I love.'
This is his second attempt in three years. His previous vessel, 'Big C', made from fibreglass, was sidelined after it sank in 2023 on the first day. Andrew then built a new boat, 'Big C V2', which is slightly longer, made from tougher aluminium, and has a top speed of 4.2 mph. He planned to take on the challenge in May last year but postponed it to complete more sea trials.
In April, he shipped the tiny boat from the UK to Newfoundland and spent the last few weeks ensuring everything was in good working order, according to his friend Rita Taylor. Taylor, 29, who hosted Andrew and his friend Gordon in Canada, said: 'Last time was too rushed - the boat was craned in on the day he planned to set off. This time it allowed him and Gordon to monitor and check on it to ensure everything was fine before launch day.'
The record has stood for three decades, held by Hugo Vihlen, who crossed in 105 days in a 5ft 4inch boat 30 years ago. Andrew's boat was towed four and a half miles off the coast of Canada, past Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, to avoid winds that could push him back to shore, as his boat can only travel downwind. Rita said: 'The vibe on board was very positive, everything felt good, and Andrew's spirits were high. The conditions were the best he was going to get, calm waters with the wind blowing in a southwesterly direction at force 3, around 10 mph.'
'The tow out was very smooth, the boat was moving with the wind and bobbing in the water well. Andrew climbed into the boat and checked that everything was all good. He seemed confident. When it came to the release, it was very clean and smooth. The wind changed for the better when we got past Cape Spear, his sails picked up straight away, and when he set off, he began sailing in the right direction.'
Andrew is 6ft 2in, and with the boat just under four feet long, he must spend most of the journey crouched in a slightly extended fetal position in good conditions. During rough waters, he will be harnessed into a seated position inside what he describes as an 'upgraded wheely bin'. He has only 98 days of food onboard.
Despite freezing temperatures, choppy conditions, and the risk of icebergs, Andrew says he isn't nervous. The hardest part will be being away from his wife and daughter, but he hopes to contact them via satellite phone. The seaman aims to raise money for Cancer Research and inspire people to 'take on their dreams'. Andrew is expected to land in the UK between August and September.
