Sailor takes on the Atlantic again

May 20, 2026

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A British sailor is gearing up for a second attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a boat so small you could fit it in your classroom.

Andrew Bedwell, 52, is preparing to sail from Argentia in Canada to Southampton, England, in a vessel measuring just 116.84. If he makes it, he will break the Guinness World Record for the smallest boat ever to complete an Atlantic crossing.

The current record is held by American Hugo Vihlen, who made the crossing in a 162.56cm long boat back in 1993.

Bedwell’s first attempt in 2023 never even made it to the water. His original boat, called Big C Atlantic Challenge, was accidentally dropped onto concrete and smashed apart. Not exactly the start he was hoping for.

This time, he has completely redesigned the boat. The new version is built from aluminium instead of fibreglass, making it much tougher. It is also packed with modern technology, including solar panels and satellite communication for emergencies.
The journey will not be easy. The Atlantic Ocean is known for rough seas and unpredictable weather. Bedwell will spend at least 60 days alone at sea, navigating through busy shipping lanes and dealing with serious sleep deprivation. The full trip to Southampton is expected to take around three months.

He is raising money for cancer research in memory of friends and family members he has lost to the disease. His boat’s name, Big C, is a nod to that cause.

Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research, writing, and proofreading.
The te reo Māori version of this article was translated with AI assistance. While care has been taken to keep it accurate, if you spot anything that doesn't read quite right, please let us know

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Learning Options

Recall Questions

Thinking questions

Digital Thinking

At a junior sports tournament, volunteers noticed that litter had started to build up around the stands and food stalls. In response, the school organised a simple rubbish survey. Students found that most of the litter was packaging from snacks and drink bottles, while very little came from the playing fields. The caretaker explained that clear bins and better signs might help, but the biggest improvement would come from people disposing of their rubbish correctly. The report concluded that small actions from many people can keep a shared space clean.

What is the main idea of this passage?

The food stalls sold many drinks in bottles. The survey showed that correct rubbish disposal helps keep shared spaces clean. The caretaker was responsible for most of the litter. The tournament had more spectators than the school expected.