Rower raising cash to save lifeboats is saved… by a lifeboat
IT was a valiant attempt to row around Britain to raise cash for the RNLI in honour of its ‘selfless, dedicated commitment to saving lives at sea’.
But Craig Forsyth was in need of the lifeboat charity’s assistance within hours of setting off on the epic journey.
The 53-year-old started from Scrabster, Caithness, at 8am on Sunday.
But he had to be rescued 12 hours later when he hit stormy weather.
He was attempting to be the first person to row solo unsupported around Britain.
Mr Forsyth managed to get through the notorious Pentland Firth – between Caithness and Orkney – but
‘He got caught out by the weather’
he then hit force six winds and a strong tide of three knots off Duncansby Head, near John o’ Groats.
He raised the alarm at 7.15pm. Wick Lifeboat found him off Wife Geo, near Freswick, Caithness, 45 minutes later and he was towed to Wick harbour.
Mr Forsyth, who was uninjured, thanked the crew and is now believed to have abandoned his row. A spokesman for the lifeboat crew said: ‘The weather deteriorated more than forecast and he got caught out.’
Mr Forsyth said six previous unsuccessful attempts have been made on the record, which was expected to take around 60 days.
On his website, the former rugby league player says: ‘I enjoy a life of adventure. When it comes to the end of my time on earth, I want to make sure that I have lived and that there is no mileage left in the clock of life.’
He has run the London Marathon and taken part in events such as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Among his rescuers were crew members Allan Lipp and Mhairi Ross who will attempt the same feat next month in a fundraising challenge for the RNLI and Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance.
They are aiming to become the first mixed pair to circumnavigate the UK mainland unsupported when they set off from Wick.