Accrington and Chorley Royal Marines to row 4,000 miles from New York to London next month

Matt Mason, from Accrington, and Jordan Swift, from Chorley, are part of the four-man Ocean Revival team attempting to row across the treacherous north Atlantic from New York to London to raise money for two charities.

In what has been dubbed the 'world's most dangerous row', the men will be joined by Ian Clinton from Darlington and Simon Chalk from Devon, and will set off from Liberty Landing Marina around May 18, with the hope of making it to British shores within 70 days.

The team, which originally included Dom Rogers from Haslingden, were due to complete the epic challenge last year, but when Covid hit, their attempts were put on hold, with Mr Rogers and Joel McGlynn subsequently being forced to pull out.

Matt Mason

Mr Mason, who now lives in Devon with his wife and two children, said: "Covid has affected the team drastically, with two of the original members of Ocean Revival having to take a step back.

"This was a real shame but something that could not be helped.

East Lancs lads will row 3700 miles from New York to London, in 60 days

"It does mean however we have welcomed two new chaps in the form of Jordan Swift, from Chorley, who is a Captain in the Royal Marines, and Simon Chalk, arguably the worlds most experienced ocean rower.

"Despite the setback, Covid also gave us an extra year to gain more support from businesses, with Matthews and Leigh Engineering (Chorley), Splash Access (Leyland) and Glovers Quantity Surveyors (Accrington) all offering a hand.

"Matthews and Leigh even stored our boat for two months."

Jordan Swift from Chorley

A spokesperson for Glovers Quantity Surveyors said: "Glovers are proud to be supporting Matt and the Ocean Revival team as they embark on this phenomenal challenge.

"Supporting the Royal Marines Charity is something that is close to our hearts and we look forward to welcoming the team onto dry land in London after 4,000 miles at sea."

A spokesperson for Matthews and Leigh said: "The Ocean Revival challenge is an extreme test of both physical and mental resolve and one that we fully support.

"We wish the team the very best of luck in their crossing."

Simon Chalk

The delay in starting the challenge also meant the team had a little longer to train, with many of their practice rows taking place in the English and Bristol Channels over winter, which provided the boys a perfect environment, with strong currents and changeable winds.

Mr Mason added: "As we depart New York between May 18 and 24, we will expect similar conditions to those we have already trained and tested the boat in, before we hit the large rolling swells of the north Atlantic, where anything could happen."

The men, who have so far raised a massive £57,187 for the Royal Marines Charity and Plastic Oceans UK are aiming to become the first team to ever row from New York to London.

Their 25ft rowing boat was shipped to New York at the end of March and should be arriving Stateside any day soon, with the boys due to fly out on April 24, giving them time to quarantine before assessing the weather, with a view to setting sail between May 18 and 24.

Left to right: Matt Mason, serving Royal Marine Commando and member of the Ocean Revival 2020 crew; Sean Ofsarnie, Director and Co-founder of Resapol; Lloyd Phillips Director and Co-founder of Resapol; Dom Rogers, former Royal Marine Commando and

During the row, the team will be using a Yellow Brick tracker that will update their exact position every two hours.

To follow along visit oceanrevivaladventures.com or the Ocean Rowing Societies website oceanrowing.com.

To donate, visit: justgiving or ocean revival.