solenthandbook.com 31 Mermaid Atlantic Make Waves For Conservation As part of the team Mermaid Atlantic, the distillery’s co-founder Xavier competed in ‘The World’s Toughest Row’, making a 3000 nautical mile crossing of the Atlantic to raise funds for marine and wildlife charities. The three team members, all native to the Isle of Wight, Xavier Baker, co-founder of The Isle of Wight Distillery, Chris Manion, owner of i-surf and Paul Berry, Ventnor longshoreman and firefighter, crossed the finish line at English Harbour, Antigua having been at sea for 43 days and 17 hours and 58 minutes. The team set off from La Gomera, Canary Islands on 13th December 2023 along with 37 other boats. Within the first few days, they encountered a number of challenges with unusually rough weather conditions, a broken daggerboard and a near-miss with a tanker at 2 am in the morning. Throughout the race the weather continued to play havoc, with huge waves and big swells featuring for a significant part of the journey. Despite the difficult and challenging conditions, the team enjoyed lighter moments with amazing wildlife encounters including jumping dolphins, a Ione-mink whale and a Wilson’s storm-petrel following their Rannoch 45. Tuna were regularly spotted under the boat and in the last week of the race they spotted a Blue Marlin (which thankfully did not to try and spike the boat!). The Islanders pushed themselves to their limits to raise awareness for the importance of ocean conservation, battling the elements to support three local charities, Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and The Seahorse Trust, and raising over £17,000 in total. For more spirited adventures, follow @mermaidgin and @iowdistillery. To browse the collection head to isleofwightdistillery.com. ADVERTISING FEATURE Office. +44 (0)23 8017 4856 Email. [email protected] Shamrock Quay Lower William St, Northam, Southampton SO14 5QL FOR ALL YOUR RIGGING REQUIREMENTS www.vmgtechnology.co.uk vmg solent handbook 82x51mm 2024.indd 1 vmg solent handbook 82x51mm 2024.indd 1 30/01/2024 09:42 30/01/2024 09:42 The World’s Toughest Row