Marlin Attacks, Killer Whales and 3,000 Miles: How Invictus Atlantic Crew Conquered The World’s Toughest Row

Four friends have returned home victorious after completing an epic 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic, raising money for Cornish mental health charity Invictus Trust.

Despite their boat being punctured twice by marlins, the Invictus Atlantic crew finished The World’s Toughest Row in 45 days, nine hours, and 14 minutes, landing in Antigua on 25th January.

A Gruelling Journey for a Worthy Cause

The team set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 11th December, rowing in gruelling two-hour shifts through 30-40 foot swells, scorching sun, and extreme exhaustion. Their Christmas and New Year were spent at sea, pushing through 1,089 hours of near-continuous rowing, averaging just under 3mph.

Their efforts were in support of Invictus Trust, a charity set up by the Cowburn family in Truro in memory of Ben Cowburn, an 18-year-old who took his own life after struggling with mental illness.

Meet the Crew

The team was led by James Brittain-Long, 60, a businessman and gig rower from Constantine, joined by:

• Paul Hayes, 61, a former Royal Marine Commando and teacher from Falmouth
• Luke Morgan, 61, a former RNAS Culdrose helicopter pilot
• David Radford-Wilson, 58, a former Royal Engineer Officer and project director from Dorset

Back home and reflecting on their journey, James said:

“It was an amazing experience for all of us and it’s made me determined to not just let life happen but to go out there and experience things.”

“It’s astonishing what you can do when you have to. Like most crews, we were 48 hours in and we were thinking, has this been a calamitous mistake? But it was fine. You just get on with it because you’ve got no choice, and that’s what we did, focusing on the job in hand.”

Battling the Ocean – and Its Creatures

The ocean was both breathtaking and brutal. While the crew marvelled at whales, porpoises, and dolphins, they also faced terrifying encounters with marlins.

Their 8.5m boat was struck four times by marlins, with their sword-like beaks piercing the double-skinned hull twice. One three-metre-long marlin missed James by mere inches.

“I was on a break in the cabin when there was this almighty thump and the boat pivoted on its axis. The marlin had pierced the hull right next to me so I stuck my fist in the hole and we patched it up with wooden bungs and putty which we had with us because we’d been warned this could happen.”

Other crews had their own close calls, with one encountering 12 marlins, a solo rower stalked by a killer whale, and another crew circled by a shark for a day and a half.

Hardships and Small Joys at Sea

James recalled some of the toughest moments, including the relentless rehydrated meals—mostly rice and curry. One highlight, however, was his 60th birthday swim in the Atlantic, with three miles of deep blue water beneath him.

“It was clear and blue and much warmer than I thought it would be. We’d stopped rowing for half an hour and afterwards had a miniature bottle of prosecco and a tin of fruit cocktail, which tasted just amazing.”

The final stretch of the journey saw the team finish 17th out of the 36 crews competing. They were met in Antigua by family and friends, who welcomed them with fresh fruit and chilled beer.

“I didn’t stop eating,” James admitted, after losing over 14kg during the race.

Despite the toll on their bodies, the crew suffered no major injuries—though James now has ‘rower’s claw’, preventing him from making a fist with his right hand.

Raising Funds for Cornish Mental Health Support

The team secured sponsorship from 34 businesses, with lead sponsor Aspects Holidays, part of Sapphire Holidays, helping fund their challenge.

Mandy Spencer, Commercial Director of Aspects Holidays, said:

“This is an epic achievement for an amazing Cornish charity, and we are incredibly proud to have supported the Invictus Atlantic team. Adolescent mental health is a vital issue, and the dedication shown by James, Paul, Luke and David to this cause is truly inspiring.”

Funds raised will support a pilot counselling service for 11 to 21-year-olds in Cornwall, launched by Invictus Trust in January last year. The crew also plans to sell their boat—once the marlin damage has been repaired—to raise even more money for the charity.

Donations can still be made via invictusatlantic.com.