ATLANTIC ENDEVOUR

DON’T LET THE TRUTH GET IN THE WAY OF A GOOD STORY

FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ORS

Roy Finlay wish to thank Mr. Kenneth Crutchlow for affording me the opportunity of responding to allegations,
made against myself and my father, by certain individuals
that have taken obvious pleasure in slandering us both ,criticizing professional boat builders and questioning experienced naval architects.

Inviting me to respond publicly ,to articles presented by inexperienced individuals and liars ,would further perpetuate the ill feeling amongst all concerned..
I would not indulge in criticism of anybody by name ,as a direct consequence of my own self interest … I would have appreciated if the same sentiment was extended to myself !

We were a team, we failed .
Either we learn from our mistakes in a gentlemanly manner and try again, or blame each other to protect our egos.
I used the word “mutiny “as an accurate description of what happened at sea onboard Atlantic Endeavour .
I did not use the term “crew “as a collective term when describing the perpetrators. Neither did I use the word “coward”.
In fact, I respect people’s fear of the sea and spent time prior to leaving ,assuring those that came to me on an individual basis and was respectful of the honesty required in expressing these feelings .
The same feelings, I have experienced on more than one occasion and as recently as last month.
I was pleased they felt they could expect reassurance from myself.

I trust the ocean rowing fraternity are aware of the fact, that during the years that span the time of the expeditions demise 1998 to date . I have refrained from naming any person connected to Atlantic Endeavour and will continue to adopt this policy.
At times, the task of remaining professional in this regard, tested my resolve to the limits ,especially when {ex AE crew } contacted the sponsors of my second attempt aboard Celtic Crossing ,with the sole aim of preventing possible success.

I despise lazy ,and the resultant, one sided, foundationless, uneducated , journalism ,we are all familiar with!
It should never be forgotten that the same reporter describing the complexities of an Atlantic Expedition ,could be the same person that reported on Mrs. Smiths cat being rescued from a tree, the day before.

Worse than that, are those that recycle , and present it as fact !
I have reserved a special place in hell ,for those that hide behind the immunity of websites, in the knowledge that the accused has little or no means of legal redress.

My detailed response , will come in the form of my book Sea Trial .
The transcripts of which are almost complete publication is scheduled for 2008.
This more educated and gentlemanly forum , has demanded of me ,that all that I write must be honest and factual with regard Atlantic Endeavour.

I cannot comment on what the press “alleged “somebody said, and will not credit the press with a response that might suggest any substance to their so called ‘reports.”

Most accusatory press articles were assisted by one of AE crew ,who has been made known to me and is one of two who were told by myself, that due to their behavior, their position on the boat would be rescinded on arrival in the Cape Verdes.

I will refrain from going into detail. However ,as an example of the level of lies that have been written.
It has been suggested crew were “fully committed financially and had trained for 12 months prior to the expedition”.

I had to borrow $35000 personally, i.e. ( not AE ltd ) due to part payment and non payment of crew fees.
Finance that was used for five star hotels( my end of the deal) also to ensure those that had paid in full ,would not suffer as a result of others less than honourable practices .
That is FINANCIAL COMMITMENT !

With regard crew being physically prepared.
I have not forgotten ,Olympic trainers that only two crewmembers attended., missed training weekends, two crew lying on deck refusing to row, claiming exhaustion .
Training for “12 months prior” ,is a blatant lie ,as I had not made my intentions of rowing the Atlantic public, twelve months before . Needless to say, I had not selected a single crewmember.
I don’t think crew assaulting each other verbally and physically could be described as being “mentally prepared”.

In the crews defence and my own, I made a mistake in assuming I could select 16 inexperienced individuals and train them, in the short amount of time available ,due to their occupational responsibilities.
With the benefit of hindsight, the amount of training that would have equipped them, with the skills required to operate effectively within a confined space at sea, could not have been reached. For that I apologise.
There truly is no substitute for experience!

Please do not remove press articles or a particular crewmembers accusations .
Combined with this response, I hope it will serve to enlighten those that believe anything they read ,especially that presented by dismissed crew and the most vicious and irresponsible press in the western world.
Atlantic Endeavour was a safe and well designed vessel that carried all safety equipment necessary in accordance with British requirements.
The vessel was passed by the harbour master in Las Palmas Gran Canaria.
Inspected by ocean rower Jock Wishart.
Kenneth Crutchlow was also present in Puerto Mogan ,if anybody is in any doubt, ask the man himself ,if any of this crew expressed safety concerns.

The reason I as skipper of Atlantic Endeavour, altered course for the Cape Verdes is known only to myself, as the SKIPPER and certainly not by any crewmember .
Please post this on your website ,as per your request ( unedited )

Sincerely Roy Finlay OCT 2006