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Whilst on passage to take up her
duties as Atlantic Patrol Ship North, HMS CUMBERLAND came across the
Miss Olive Virgin Atlantic solo rowing vessel 500 miles north west
of the Azores.
Mr Oliver Hicks, 23, on board Miss Olive Virgin Atlantic saw
the Devonport based Type 22 frigate on the horizon and contacted the
ship requesting assistance. He was taking part in a solo rowing
challenge to cross the Atlantic and has been at sea for 76 days
since leaving Atlantic Highlands, just north of New York and had
experienced severe weather conditions. He was expected back at
Falmouth after 52 days and only had provisions left to last him
until the end of August. His revised arrival date back in Falmouth
is now the end of September/early October.
The Commanding Officer of HMS CUMBERLAND, Captain Simon Ancona,
offered Mr Hicks food and provisions to last him until his arrival
in the United Kingdom. Captain Ancona said, “it was a brave decision
to attempt to cross the Atlantic single handedly but sometimes these
things do not go according to plan and the maritime environment can
be most unforgiving. Luckily HMS CUMBERLAND was on hand to lend
assistance and we were delighted to do so”. Mr Hicks said “ he was
overjoyed at the sight of the British warship heading towards him
offering help”.
HMS CUMBERLAND was on her fifth day of a 4 month deployment to the
Caribbean in order to conduct humanitarian aid and disaster relief
assistance if required, as well as Counter Drug Operations.
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