Rowers have had 'en-oeuf' as "horrible smell" distracts during Atlantic race

Tuesday 19 December 2023

Attempting to row the Atlantic means some major disruptions to normal daily routines, as members of Jersey’s Intrepid 232 crew found out after a bid to enjoy some fresh food went wrong a few days into their voyage.

Although they’ve been making decent progress in the week since leaving La Gomera in the Canary Islands, members of the four-woman crew had to contend with a "horrible smell" that remained a mystery for some time.

Eventually the source of the problem was identified – a rotten egg.

Part of a small consignment of fresh food to ease the transition to life at sea before freeze-dried rations became the only option, some hard-boiled eggs had been included alongside some fresh fruit.

Writing on their Facebook page, the crew described a “horrible smell coming from the stern cabin”, subsequently realising that an egg had escaped and become lodged under a mattress, where it was squashed and then started to ‘hum’ in the rising temperatures.

It was removed and the area cleaned up, although the smell took longer to dissipate.

The Intrepid 232 crew, comprising islanders Julie Brady, Helene Monpetit, Rosemary Satchwell and Alison Smithurst, have already completed more than 400 miles of the 3,000-mile crossing after setting out from La Gomera last Wednesday.

Pictured: Alison Smithurst, Julie Brady, Helene Monpetit and Rosemary Satchwell make up the Intrepid 232 crew.

A total of 38 crews are taking part, with around half the fleet bunched together within a 75-mile stretch, including the Intrepid 232 crew in 23rd place.

The team are seeking support from islanders for their fundraising efforts, with money collected to be split between two causes close to team members’ hearts.

Half the proceeds will go to the Grace Crocker Foundation, which supports families while children receive medical treatment in the UK, with the remainder going to the Blue Marine Foundation, which works to restore the ocean by addressing overfishing.

The team’s fundraising page can be found at HERE, while more details on the race, including a tracker for the team’s latest position, can be found at HERE.