By Isanella Patoir
After leaving Sierra Leone, West Africa three months ago, Richard Allen, a former Royal Marines Commando, docked at the Harbour Master’s Boathouse, Georgetown, Guyana on Wednesday just as the sun was setting.
This journey was aimed at raising awareness of the Commonwealth and to change approximately 2.4 billion lives.
Allen journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean in a 7.3-metre rowing boat. He was alone and unsupported except for a satellite radio that connected him with friends and family in England.
On the tiny boat, solar panels are attached on the back and front, with one single seat and a tiny cabin for food storage.
British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn along with Allen’s parents were there to welcome him after his lonesome journey. A medical team was also dispatched to run check-ups on Allen.
Upon arrival at Georgetown, he stood and lit two firecrackers to signify the end of his journey.
“It’s amazing what can be achieved when people come together,” Allen said.
It was not just about him rowing a boat across the ocean, it was about bringing people together and learning from them and learning how to help them.
“It’s not necessarily the case where something is wrong but people need help and we all have weaknesses and when we come together weaknesses gets cancelled out,” the defiant Allen said.
His journey was not without challenges.
“It was really hard because of the heat.”
He said it was so hot he could have suffered a heat stroke. However, “the rest was a bit boring.”
But the last section coming around South America has been “quite dangerous.”
Allen said his boat got smashed up at one point.
“I lost four ores and at one point I was down to one ore and I tried to make a new ore out of separates bits.”
He explained that he was really bored after some time being alone on the ocean and started to plan DIY’s (Do it yourself) projects when he finally docked.
“Another time the boat got capsized and I got pushed on the water and separated from the boat about 1500 metres,” Allen recalled.
He said he will be working together with Commonwealth countries to reduce the junk of plastics in the sea and working to improve schools.
Allen said his military training helped him to stay focused.
“When I was in the middle of the sea and I had just broken my third ore, I had one left and I did not think I was going to make it to Guyana.
“But then I thought let’s try and work it out and glue some bits together.”
When asked if he would do something like this again he said, “definitely not rowing, but I like to have an active mind.”
