Discover the Dubai-Charm: Ratings & Maritime News

On July 8, 2015, the oil tanker Dubai Charm came to the aid of rowers Ashley Wilson and James Ketchell, who found themselves in peril while approximately 175 km west of Kalbarri, Western Australia. The rescue mission was supported by the WA Police Air Wing, which successfully located the duo. One of the rowers sustained a head injury but was later assessed and determined to be free from serious physical harm. Following the rescue, the men were conveyed to the nearest port, either Geraldton or Fremantle, although their distressed boat was not retrieved. Ashley Wilson and James Ketchell were on their second attempt to achieve a world record for the rowing journey from Geraldton to Mauritius when they encountered difficulties in tumultuous weather with strong winds and high seas, causing their boat to capsize multiple times. Earlier that morning, the pair managed to communicate with friends in the UK using a satellite phone, detailing the situation they faced after losing vital equipment during the ordeal. Concerned for their safety, their friends alerted UK authorities who promptly reached out to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) around 8 a.m. AMSA made contact with Wilson and Ketchell through satellite phone and instructed them to activate their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). To prepare for a potential medical evacuation, an ambulance helicopter was dispatched to Kalbarri to facilitate urgent hospital transport if necessary. The adventurous duo had set out on this challenging journey from Geraldton on July 2, aiming to become the fastest team to cross the treacherous waters to Mauritius in under 85 days. This expedition served a charitable purpose, raising funds for several organizations including Young Epilepsy, the ELIFAR Foundation, and the Scout Association. Wilson, who has epilepsy controlled by medication, is also a cancer survivor. His companion, James Ketchell, an experienced adventurer, boasts an impressive resume that includes solo rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in 2010, climbing Mount Everest in 2011, and cycling around 29,000 km across 20 countries in 2013. Throughout this journey, Ketchell was responsible for monitoring Wilson’s health, with a specialist doctor available around the clock in case of emergencies. Their journey was made possible with a custom-built carbon fiber boat measuring 6 meters long and weighing 700 kg, highlighting their commitment to adventure and resilience against adversity.