A daring attempt by an all-female Scottish rowing team to conquer the Atlantic Ocean has been interrupted by a dramatic mid-ocean rescue, after one crew member was struck down by debilitating seasickness.
Dramatic Helicopter Rescue in Pitch Darkness
Andrena McShane-Kerr, 42, became so severely ill during the gruelling World's Toughest Row that she could no longer lift her head or keep down food and water. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, forcing her team, Scotland the Wave, to activate an emergency distress beacon on Wednesday night.
A rescue helicopter was scrambled, reaching the team's vessel in the dark expanse of the ocean. Ms McShane-Kerr described the harrowing experience of being winched up while desperately weak. "To have a sea rescue in pitch black with a helicopter come down and as he [the winchman] was pulling me up I was just so weak I couldn’t even hold onto him," she told the BBC.
Years of Preparation Undone by 'Pretty Tough' Conditions
The team of four—Andrena McShane-Kerr, Nicky Matthews, Fiona Deakin, and Heather McCallum—had embarked on their monumental journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on Sunday. Their destination was Antigua in the Caribbean, a 3,000-mile voyage expected to take up to 60 days.
They had invested years in preparation, including intensive coastal rowing in the Scottish Highlands. However, challenging weather conditions at sea triggered Ms McShane-Kerr's acute seasickness, which worsened relentlessly. "It got to the point where I was so weak I couldn’t lift my head, I was unable to keep anything down," she explained.
Trio Continues the Challenge as Team Mate Recovers
Ms McShane-Kerr expressed her devastation at having to leave the race but paid heartfelt tribute to her three teammates, who are now continuing as a trio. "Three of the most amazing, strongest women that I’ve ever met in my life," she said. "I’m so proud to call them my friends and I look at them as family, and I just can’t wait to see them finish."
The Scotland the Wave team is one of approximately 35 crews competing in the epic transatlantic race, which also aims to raise funds for charity. Their spirit and determination remain undimmed as they press on towards Antigua without their fourth crew member.
