Rower to set off for Madagascar 

11:07 AEDT

A 30-year-old British man is due to leave Kalbarri near Geraldton in Western Australia this morning to try to row to Madagascar. Simon Chalk first attempted the feat in May last year with a partner, but was rescued after 14 hours in the ocean when his craft struck a sea container and began sinking.

This time he is going alone.Mr Chalk is hoping to complete the trip in under 64 days, a record set by a solo rower over the same course 30 years ago.His father Roger Chalk says despite what happened last time, he is confident his son will complete the voyage.

"I've got every confidence in his ability and also the boat, the boat is superb and he has four different safety systems on board that boat and unless there's a mishap of the same type, well he's got the capabilities and he's also got the systems on board to survive," he said.

Reprinted with permission of ABC News Online