Atlantic crossing benefits veteran health

One man, one boat, one ocean.

According to folklore, the Kraken is a beast that lives deep within the ocean, waiting to grab ships and drag them down to the black abyss. The Kraken is also an analogy for mental health issues, says Tim Crockett, a Special Forces veteran and Royal Marine.

Two years ago, he received news his friend, a former Royal Marine suffering from PTSD, took his own life.

“This made me want to do something to help others suffering from PTSD,” said Crockett, who is from Marietta.

A month later, he created the campaign, Tame the Kraken, to raise money and awareness for veterans suffering with mental health issues.

pleted In February, the Talisker Crockett Whisky comAtlantic Challenge, an annual ocean rowing event. His ves- sel, named The Kraken, is a 25 foot, 1-ton concept boat.

“This was absolutely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” said Crockett, one of five solo rowers in this year’s race.

Adding that only 90 peo- ple to date have successfully rowed across the Atlantic. journey, On the 3,000-nautical-mile beginning in the Canary Islands and ending in Antigua, “I rowed, on average, 80 percent of the time,” Crockett said. During the day, he would row for three hours and rest for one hour; at night, he would row for two hours and rest for two hours.

“It was hard to stick to a routine because I had to be tactical based on weather con- ditions,” continued Crockett.

The closing stages of the race were the toughest, he said. Unfavorable weather conditions and strong currents kicked up as Crockett approached English Harbor in Antigua. This was the only time during the trip he put his lifejacket on.

Crockett rowed for 45 minutes against intense circular currents trying not to crash into the cliffs lining the narrow entry to the bay.

After 63 days at sea, Crockett is back on land. His plan is to continue fundraising for veteran suicide prevention through his nonprofit Tame the Kraken (https:// www.tamethekraken.com), while formulating his next epic adventure.

TIM MARTIN & ATLANTIC CAMPAIGNS Tim Crockett, a Special Forces veteran and Royal Marine, traverses the Atlantic in his 1-ton ocean rower, The Kraken. After 63 days at sea, he plans to continue raising money for veteran suicide prevention.