Fedor Konyukhov’s TASS press conference
Moscow, 30 October 2018. Fedor Konyukhov held a press conference at the TASS press-centre, dedicated to the upcoming circumnavigation of the globe on the rowboat “Akros”. A few Russian companies that developed a number of innovative systems to ensure energy efficiency and travel safety became partners of the world expedition; some equipment will be tested by Fedor Konyukhov for the first time on his journey.
The expedition will start in November this year from New Zealand, the port of Dunedin. In the entire history of ocean crossings on rowing boats, no one has managed to cross the Southern Ocean and go around Cape Horn in a rowing boat. The Southern Hemisphere’s summer months will dictate rowing seasons for Fedor Konyukhov: in November 2018 he will start rowing from New Zealand (Dunedin port) to Cape Horn (Chile); in December 2019, he will row from Chile (Cape Horn) to Cape Leeuwin (WA, Albany); from there, the final Australia – New Zealand leg will begin in December 2020.
The course plotted will take Fedor through the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties, so named for their unforgiving conditions, including bad weather, huge waves and storm-force winds. It is not surprising that with the low temperatures, strong winds, and the fact that the first leg will take him through the most uninhabited place on Earth – he has had to carefully plan every detail.
“Together with the expedition’s team of partners, including the companies “AKROS”, “JSC BELOMORTRANS”, “Golden Beach”, SKB “Kontur”, and our colleagues from “Seyho Motors”, we’ve drawn up a preparatory stage plan. It has taken us more than a year and a half to calculate the technical equipment characteristics and seek out the best specialists to help create unique and innovative energy generation systems. Three of these will be used on board the “Akros” – wind, solar, and fuel-cells. Many members of our team have already become close friends, supporting us for years and participating actively in preparing for expeditions. Together, we’ve tested the boat and its launch and now my friends are coming with me to New Zealand. The team works closely together on all technical aspects. The process of installing all of the navigation, communication and life-support systems took 6 months. The whole project, from designing the boat until today, has taken eighteen months.” – said Fedor Konyukhov.
The route plotted through Southern Ocean negotiates powerful cyclonic storms that move from west to east and the strongest average wind speeds on Earth. The boat must withstand the numerous storms, while providing liveable conditions to the rower by having several sources for generating electrical energy. It has to have enough space for storing clothing, food and enough spare parts for the first leg’s journey of 6,000 nautical miles.
“Survival in such conditions can only occur on a specially designed vessel. Our company decided not only to sponsor Fedor Konyukhov, but also to help in all aspects of preparation for this expedition. After participating in the testing phase and helping to work out design issues, we plan to watch Fedor closely and provide moral support. I’d like to note several Russian records achieved to date: first, on board the rowboat “Akros” we have installed one of the most efficient solar batteries in the world. Fedor Konyukhov will also be using a fuel-cell powered generator adapted for an ocean-going rowboat. The creator of this new rowboat has been British designer Phillip Morrison” – said Igor Nekrasov, President of the “Belomortrans” Group of Companies.
“The rowboat “Akros” is a unique, specially designed vessel featuring all of the latest advances and developments in technology” – adds Sergey Eremenko, General Director of the “Seyho Motors”.
“The company “Akros” and Fedor Konyukhov have been good friends and partners to each other for many years. Our company’s successes go hand in hand with Fedor’s new records, and like Fedor Konyukhov, our friend and visionary, we never rest on our achievements but continue to strive for new frontiers. This project is special to us, as the boat and our company share a name. We are proud and feel greatly responsible. Thanks to the experts and innovative professionals who built this boat, we are confident that the “Akros” and Fedor Konyukhov are ready to conquer the Southern Ocean. This voyage carries a significantly higher energy capacity than the crossing of the Pacific in 2013. Rannoch Adventure’s specialists have developed a floor-warming system in the rest cabin. Fedor can set a timer on the thermostat (maximum 1 hour), to warm his sleeping quarters. This system requires serious energy generation, so the “Akros” has three independent sources for generating power (wind, solar, and fuel cells). The boat has also been prepared as much as possible for any unforeseen circumstance which may occur throughout the expedition. Fedor Konyukhov and the projects partners, boat designer, and shipbuilding team all understand that to traverse the Ocean surrounding Antarctica without encountering a hurricane force storm is impossible. This is why the boat has been designed using the same principles as a rescue capsule, capable of withstanding capsizing and large waves over many days. In the words of Shipbuilding Director Charlie Pitcher – the boat can take anything the ocean throws at it” – says Andrey Korolev, General Director of “Akros” Ltd.
Dmitry Mramorov, General Director of SKB “Kontur”, stated: “There are among our employees many avid sportspeople and travellers. It is important to us not only to work, but to live interesting lives. With his expeditions, Fedor Konyukhov broadens peoples’ horizons, showing us all how big and beautiful the world is. He also tests out new technologies which will go on to serve people, such as navigation systems and solar batteries. This is important to us too: we want to create products which improve the lives of our clients and provide them with new opportunities.”
The Southern Ocean is one of the most deserted places on the planet, so communications will all take place via satellite. Two types of satellite phone from Iridium have been installed on the “Akros” – a stationary phone and an Iridium Go, which can send SMS messages from a smartphone (via a satellite connection), while also capable of providing large volume of information such as weather reports.
You can follow Fedor Konyukhov’s circumnavigation of the globe on his rowboat, the “Akros” (including an interactive route map) on his official website – www.konyukhov.ru
Photo: Vladimir Gerdo. ТАСС