British rower, 54, found dead in boat weeks after start of 3,000-mile Atlantic crossing
A FATHER of one rowing across the Atlantic for charity has been found dead in his boat at sea.
Michael Holt, 54, died 700 miles into the 3,000-mile solo run from Gran Canaria to Barbados.
After two years of training, he had set off on January 27, with the journey expected to take anywhere from 40 to 110 days to complete.
The experienced rower had battled strong winds, lost an oar, had a shark attack his rudder and seen three killer whales swimming around his boat.
He had posted updates during the trip and told friends and family he felt ill before they lost contact with him on February 23 and alerted local rescue services. Mr Holt, who had type 1 diabetes, was found dead in his cabin two days later.
In a post on Mr Holt’s Instagram page, his brother David said a fishing vessel had been tasked by Cape Verde Joint Rescue Co- ordination Centre to go to Mr Holt’s position.
He added: ‘Upon arrival, Michael was found dead inside his cabin.
‘ I am somewhat comforted knowing he died doing something he absolutely wanted to do and managed to row in excess of 700 miles. An achievement in itself.’
Mr Holt, originally from Porthmadog in North Wales, lived on the Wirral and had already raised £2,500 for Mind and £3,500 for Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services.
His family said he was ‘ well prepared’ after training for two years. He had a spare oar and medical supplies to avoid infections.
Before his death, a social media update said Mr Holt believed his illness was due to taking antibiotics.
This is why he changed his plan of rowing to Barbados and aimed for Cape Verde, 300 nautical miles south of his position at the time.
Last year he had rowed solo across the Irish Sea to raise money for Porthmadog Football Club.