Wreck of US Air Force Veterans' Rowing Boat Found Off French Coast After Three Years
The wreck of the US Air Force veterans' rowing boat, Woobie, which was abandoned during the 2022 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, has been found off the French coast after three years. Discovered by a commercial fishing vessel, the wreck has been towed to La Rochelle for eventual return to Alabama. The crew, who aimed to raise awareness for veteran mental health, abandoned the boat after it capsized and were rescued after 22 hours adrift.

The wreck of a rowing boat named Woobie, abandoned by a team of US Air Force veterans in 2022, has been recovered off the French coast. A commercial fishing vessel discovered the wreck and reported it to the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in western France.
The boat has been towed to La Rochelle, with plans for its return to Alabama. The recovery was confirmed by the US team involved in the Fight Oar Die mission, which attempted the 2022 Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.
The four veterans began their journey in December 2022, aiming to row 3,000 nautical miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua to raise awareness for veteran mental health. After 16 days at sea, the vessel capsized and failed to self-right, leading the crew to abandon ship and take to a liferaft. They were rescued after 22 hours adrift by the bulk carrier Hanze Göteborg.




Comments