Today, a video call from AKROS rowing boat took place. As the weather allowed, Fedor Konyukhov was able to pull Starlink satellite dish out of the bow compartment and make several video calls to his family and friends, as well as to the expedition headquarters.
It had been a long time since we last heard Fedor’s voice, and now we not only heard him but saw him as well. As always, the calmness in his voice is striking. 81 days in the ocean, in these latitudes (the Roaring Forties), and yet such self-control.
Recording: “Today is a good day. The sun is shining, there is a lot to do on the boat, but while the sun is at its peak and charging the batteries, I decided to call everyone.
I’m doing well. The boat is starting to wear out, little by little, everything is breaking down. All USB charging ports have corroded – humidity here is one hundred percent. During storms, the boat isn’t ventilated, and condensation pours down the cabin walls like a river. Even marine instruments can’t withstand such dampness.
All four batteries are already poorly holding charge. The boat’s hull is cold, and although the battery compartment is insulated and separated from the hull, the batteries are losing charge faster each day. They barely last through the night. At night, the cabin lights and all secondary devices are turned off, only the most essential ones are working. I should have prepared a backup pair of batteries in the stern compartment.
The watermaker (Schenker) is leaking, perhaps a hose is coming off somewhere, I can’t visually find the source of the leak. I sponge out about a liter of seawater from the compartment every day. When starting, desalinator loses pressure and leaks air; before, fresh water would flow after 30 seconds, but now it takes five minutes of pumping before the water runs without a salty taste. The capsizing didn’t do the desalinator any good, but at least it’s still working – I was afraid it would be torn from its mounts in the storms.
One oar is broken. For the first time in all my journeys in 2002, 2014 and 2019, I have broken an oar. The boat was rocking chaotically, I tried to row, and snapped one. Carrying it with me as a souvenir.
All the tasty food is slowly running out, there are enough freeze–dried meals, but biscuits, crackers, and any flour-based foods are gone. I really crave fresh bread! It is impossible to take a variety of products on such a long journey. I knew that I would have some variety in my diet for the first half of the journey, but for the second half there would be food only to maintain my strength and energy.
But it’s okay, I can handle it, as long as the boat and the instruments hold up. Thank God, I’m alive and well to this day. Ahead are islands (Price Edward Islands) – I need to pass them on a safe distance”
My position: 43°45′ south latitude and 34°00′ east longitude.
The route map is here.