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A CLOSE relative of legendary World War II
German commander Rommel has been plucked from the sea while on a lone
bid to row the Atlantic. Andreas Rommel, grand-nephew of Field Marshal
Erwin Rommel, was 450 miles off the coast of Canada when he ran into a
storm.
A Canadian bulk carrier rescued Rommel in weather described as
'atrocious'.
He was flown by helicopter to Gander in Newfoundland. Hewas not believed
to be seriously hurt.
Rommel's 24ft boat, the Lady Georgia, began taking on water in 15ft
waves.
He set off his distress beacon and the signal was picked up via
satellite by RAF Kinloss in Moray.
They relayed the details to the Canadian Marine Rescue Co-ordination
Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
His journey had already been incident-packed. He was nearly run down by
a tanker in fog and was caught up in hurricane Alex.
Rommel, 34, set off from Cape Cod in July but was still 2500 miles short
of his destination, Land's End.
His bid to row the Atlantic was only the first stage of a three-part
challenge. He also plans to row across the Indian Ocean and then the
North Pacific.
He started his present voyage in mid-July despite warnings that he was
leaving the bid dangerously late in the season.
Kenneth Crutchlow, director of the Ocean Rowing Society, said they
recommend that all North Atlantic rowers leave by May, aiming to touch
land in Europe before September.
Before May, there is a danger of icebergs and September is the hurricane
season off Europe.
Rommel has twice sailed solo across the Atlantic. |
