Lymington brothers to row the Atlantic Ocean

Ocean Brothers transatlantic journey in memory of father and in aid of British Skin Foundation

Two local brothers are preparing to row 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for the British Skin Foundation. Dr Greg Bailey and Jude Massey have planned their once in a lifetime challenge in aid of their beloved late father and stepfather, Peter Massey, who passed away in August 2015 after an arduous 16 year long battle with skin cancer.

Lymington Ocean Brothers

Awareness of the Ocean Brothers and their forthcoming challenge has been rising over the summer months, with the brothers appearing regularly at local events, including the Lymington Carnival (dressed as pirates), on the BHG Marine stand at the New Forest Show and at the Summer Spectacular. Next week, Greg and Jude will be on hand to speak about their challenge at the Southampton Boat Show - find them on the BHG Marine stand every day.

Jude has lived in Lymington all his life and learnt to sail here aged 8. He has worked his way up to performing at international level in the 420 class.

Greg also loved sailing small dinghies on the Solent as a boy. Professionally, Greg has trained and worked as a ski and rock climbing instructor and is a qualified Mountain Leader. In 2014 Greg qualified as a junior doctor and currently practices medicine in accident and emergency.

"We'd like to thank the Lymington Community for all their support so far," said Greg. "People have been really interested in what we are planning and incredibly supportive."

3000 mile journey

The Ocean Brothers will set off across the second largest ocean in the world in January 2018 from Gran Canaria. They will row day and night swapping for one hour shifts each. Greg and Jude will be unaccompanied for their epic challenge; they will single handedly propel the rowing boat for over 3000 miles to Barbados. The journey is likely to take between 5 and 11 weeks of continuous rowing and will test the brothers' psychological and physical strength.

The brothers will rely entirely on solar panels to power a water maker which provides them with vital drinking water together with fresh water for rehydrating freeze-dried meals. It is expected that during the crossing Greg and Jude will gradually starve as they expend more calories than they consume.

Throughout the crossing, the brothers will be at the mercy of the elements, potential hurricanes, capsizes, electrical failure, passage of large vessels, large marine life, sea sickness, traumatic injury and equipment breakages.

The crossing should be aided by the 'Canary Current' which is a body of moving water which feeds off the Gulf Stream between West Africa to the Caribbean. However, should sea or weather conditions become too unsafe to row, the brothers will deploy a para-anchor, a submersible parachute shaped piece of equipment which will keep the boat pointing into the waves and reduce the likelihood of capsize as they stay in a watertight cabin.

So how will the brothers train for such an arduous challenge? Dr Greg Bailey said: "We’re doing a lot of research about a really tailored training regime to make sure we leave that start line as well prepared as we possibly can. It’ll mostly be cardio based training, lots on the rowing machine obviously."

Ocean Brothers - Rowing for Skin Cancer 

The Ocean Brothers aim to raise £100,000 for the British Skin Foundation's research into skin cancer. 

"My father passed away from skin cancer and we both decided that the most appropriate charity to raise funds for would be the British Skin Foundation as they fund vital research into finding a cure for skin cancer," said Jude.

Sponsor the Ocean Brothers

A number of local businesses have already pledged sponsorship for the Ocean Brothers, the first of which was BHG Marine. 

New Forest Cottages are the latest local business to sponsor the Ocean Brothers.

Find out more about sponsoring the Ocean Brothers. 

Donate to the British Skin Foundation with the Ocean Brothers on Justgiving.

Learn more about Ocean Brothers on their website: www.oceanbrothers.co.uk

Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE:

"Brothers Jude and Greg coming together and battling the full force of the Atlantic Ocean on this tremendous voyage for such a moving and deeply touching cause is an inspiration to any family suffering the loss of a loved one to skin cancer. Go boldly into that dark night Ocean Brothers!"