Ex-Marine nears record-breaking 18,000-mile solo ocean row

By Filipa Gaspar

A Brit is set to become the first person to row 18,000 miles on a solo, non-stop and unsupported trip across two oceans from South America to Africa.

Dave "Dinger" Bell, 54, left Lima, Peru on Nov. 9 and has since crossed the Pacific, navigated the Coral Sea and Torres Strait.

He has rounded northern Australia and rowed deep into the Indian Ocean without stopping.

Now the former Royal Marine is just weeks away from completing the 17,500-mile solo ocean row after spending more than 300 days alone at sea.

If successful, Dave will break the current Guinness World Record for longest non-stop solo ocean row, surpassing the 7,145 direct miles achieved by Jacob Adoram Hendrickson during his Pacific crossing.

He's less than 900 nautical miles from completing his journey in Kilifi, Kenya, which he believes he could reach in 12-17 days.

Bell previously spent 119 days rowing solo from New York to Cornwall in 2021, after which he declared: "I'm never doing anything dangerous ever again."

Five years later, he is approaching the end of a journey several times longer.

Bell said one of the hardest moments came right at the very beginning, when his partner Georgie followed him away from the yacht club in Peru for around 45 minutes before eventually turning back.

Dave, who lives in Bere Regis, Dorset, and was previously stationed in Arbroath, Scotland said: "I remember the last time she looked back at me and it absolutely killed me.

"The first few weeks were terrible and I really struggled with the pointlessness of it all - why am I doing this and why am I doing this to both of us?

"We've both struggled with the separation, but when I'm making good progress I know every mile is getting me closer to seeing her.

"We're through the worst of it now and we're both getting very excited about seeing each other again."

The toughest section, he said, came in the Coral Sea, after a route carefully planned around two cyclone seasons.

Bell said: "The Coral Sea kicked my ass. I took a knockdown which brought water into the boat, the electrics were damaged, I was covered in salt sores and ended up on antibiotics.

"Then I was going into this incredibly tidal area and rowing for 16 hours at a time. By the end of it I was emotionally fried and physically broken."

His passage through the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea was one of the least predictable sections of the expedition.

One of Bell's best moments of more than 10 months at sea came when, after finally getting through, he dropped a ground anchor and felt it hold.

"The sense of relief was enormous," he continued.

"I knew I was secure and for the first time in a long time I could switch my mind off and properly rest.

"We could plan for the Pacific, the north coast of Australia and the Indian Ocean, but the Torres Strait was entirely weather-dependent. You can't choose the weather. Getting through and knowing I was safe was a massive moment."

Bell served for 20 years in the Royal Marines, and his military background has been central to surviving the expedition.

The ex-Marine, who has had no support boat and no opportunity to replace supplies, said:

"The training you do in the Marines is designed to push you to the point where you think you can't go on. It teaches you there is normally more left in the tank than you think.

"In the Marines you're also used to being self-sufficient and managing with what's on your back. Here, I manage with what's on the boat. When something breaks, you either repair it or work out how to manage without it."

The expedition is supported by British performance clothing brand Atacama, whose kit Bell has worn throughout the crossing through months of intense sun, heat, saltwater and changing conditions.

Atacama has previously worked with the Maclean brothers on their world record-breaking Pacific row.

He said: "I'm glad they helped me take care of my clothing as that's been one less thing to worry about!

"After seeing the Macleans wearing Atacama the whole way on their crossing, I knew I couldn't go far wrong.

"I've actually packed too much. It's probably the military way I look at things and plan around the worst-case scenario. I expected the row to last longer and probably didn't adjust enough as it went on. There are worse problems to have."

While Bell is alone on the boat, he insists the expedition has been a team effort, crediting weather router Simon Rowell, boatbuilder Mark Slats, media Barry Hayes, and particularly Georgie.

Bell continued: "I'm the one in the spotlight and I'll get the accolades, but this is a team game. I wouldn't have gotten to Peru without Georgie.

"She's been project manager, logistics support and my emotional crutch throughout the whole thing."

The expedition is raising money for Rock2Recovery, which supports members of the Armed Forces, veterans, emergency service personnel and their families.

Dave has previously spoken about the close friends of his who have been killed, and those who have lost limbs and are suffering mentally.

Despite nearing the end of a challenge that has consumed almost a year of his life, Bell has no plans to become a professional adventurer.

He said: "I can't wait to go back to normal life. I'm not trying to build a profile, launch a business or start a speaking career. I'm doing this for the hell of it, really to see if it can be done.

"When I get in, it'll very quickly be over for me. I've got planning permission for what is basically a glorified shed in the back garden which needs some attention, but mostly I just want to get home and spend time with Georgie."

"I already know I'll miss the ocean when this finishes though. I might do another one, one day, but I'll be on the crew with someone else…maybe Georgie and I will row an ocean together one day."