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Rowing boat ‘Uralaz’ was built in Great Britain especially for the current voyage of Fedor Konykhov. Lately it was set afloat and tested in the Channel. This event gave occasion to a new Fedor Konykhov’s press-conference, which was held in a yacht-club ‘The Fifth Ocean’ on the forth of September.
Famous Russian extreme-sailor shall follow a legend route of Christopher Columbus, who had crossed the Atlantics on his way from Europe to America. The voyage starts at San-Sebastian port of La Gomer island (the Canaries) and should be finished at Barbados island. This 3000-miles route is expected to take one hundred days and 1.5 millions of Fedor’s srokes!
British engineer Phil Morrison, who took into consideration stature and weigh of Fedor Konukhov as well as his private preferences, designed the special rowing boat for him. Boat constructor Peter Rowsell used all his semi-centennial experience in building of cruising yachts and fishing vessels to perfect Fedor’s ship. This 7-metres boat is made of Canadian cedar and weights only 350 kg, what empowers it to swim above billows, avoiding pouring and dashes of the waves. Clever boat contours reduce water resistance and speed the vessel. To prevent possible overkeels during storms the boat is equipped with three sea anchors (for stern and both boards).
The exceptional vessel that is set in motion by a single human is equipped with the modern hi-tech. Sea gel-filled energy accumulators are charged with three solar batteries, which are located at a rostrum and an astern. At ‘Uralaz’ one may find a satellite phone, stationary and emergency GPS, electronic compass and a lot of other facilities.
Safety of the voyage is of great consequence to reliability of a radar-detector that is able to spot any other vessel in 5-km distance. If such is detected, the radar alarms to warn a sailor who may be occasionally sleeping or working on a deck. After it Fedor should establish a radio connection with the nearby ship and they would correlate their courses. ‘Uralaz’ also has ‘Argos’ tracking system on board that sends exact boat coordinates to London headquarters of Ocean Rowing Association 15 times per day.
In spite of 100-liter reserve of fresh water, a modern electric sea desalter will be the main source of sweet water for Fedor. Of course, rainwater and a fish juice will be kept in mind too.
After a ceremonial launch of a boat on the 1st of August, Fedor Konykhov had tested the vessel in heavy waters of the Channel. ‘Uralaz’ proved itself and the start of trans-Atlantic voyage was set for the middle of October 2002.
09.09.2002
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