On Thursday (18 January) an energetic mix of family, friends and supporters gathered in eager anticipation for the arrival of the first runners-up in the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic 2023 at the historic Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua’s English Harbour. 
 
Among the roars of the crowd and blaring of superyacht sirens, Team Out of the Blue received a triumphant reception back on to terra firma after conquering this year’s World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic in a time of 36 days, four hours and 30 mins.
 
Team Out of The Blue comprises Amir Anwar-Hameed from Bray and Mark Bolger from Sandymount with Marko Rehbein from Germany and Paul Heijnen from the Netherlands, all four of whom live in the Dutch city of Delft.

They brought together their combined expansive knowledge of strategic product design, aerospace engineering and sustainability to undertake what was arguably their most enduring enterprise ever.

From left: Amir Anwar-Hameed, Mark Bolger, Paul Heijnen and Marko Rehbein celebrate reaching terra firma after more than 36 days rowing the Atlantic Ocean | Credit: World’s Toughest Row

When asked about their experience rowing across the Atlantic, Bolger said: “We were lucky with the wildlife, lots of dolphins, tunas jumping and whales. Incredible sights.”
 
The four young men won the fours class in this year’s race and when asked about whether there have been talks onboard about any future adventures, skipper Anwar-Hameed said: “We need to get our careers going and get settled, but in five years we might figure something out and I would gladly do anything with these guys!”
 
Team Out of the Blue have been raising money and awareness for the charities MIND Us, Jigsaw and Reef Support Foundation. And at the same time, throughout their crossing they brought attention to the importance of using citizen science by collecting ocean data to validate a student funded AI-powered ocean monitoring tool to protect and maintain marine coastal areas.