Ex-Royal Marine from Dorset completes Pacific and Indian Ocean row
David Bell, a 54-year-old former Royal Marine from Bere Regis, Dorset, completed a world-record solo unsupported row from Peru to Kenya. Bell arrived in Mombasa at 12.12pm local time on Friday after spending 327 days at sea without stepping on land. The journey covered 17,500 miles across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Bell raised over £110,000 for the PTSD charity Rock2Recovery during the expedition, which he completed despite a personal fear of water. Prince William congratulated Bell on the achievement.
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- ✓ David Bell is a 54-year-old former Royal Marine from Bere Regis, Dorset.
- ✓ Bell rowed from Peru to Kenya, crossing the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- ✓ The journey took 327 days and covered 17,500 miles.
- ✓ Bell arrived in Mombasa at 12.12pm local time on Friday.
What changed
David Bell officially completed his 17,500-mile journey in Mombasa, Kenya, establishing a new world record.
Live updates
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Dorset Veteran Sets World Record Rowing Across Pacific and Indian Oceans
David Bell, a 54-year-old former Royal Marine from Bere Regis, Dorset, completed a world-record solo unsupported row from Peru to Kenya. Bell arrived in Mombasa at 12.12pm local time on Friday after spending 327 days at sea without stepping on land. The journey covered 17,500 miles across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Bell raised over £110,000 for the PTSD charity Rock2Recovery during the expedition, which he completed despite a personal fear of water. Prince William congratulated Bell on the achievement.
Why it matters
The feat marks the longest solo unsupported ocean row by distance. Bell faced extreme environmental threats including sharks, crocodiles, and storms during the nearly 11-month ordeal.
What is confirmed
- David Bell is a 54-year-old former Royal Marine from Bere Regis, Dorset.
- Bell rowed from Peru to Kenya, crossing the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- The journey took 327 days and covered 17,500 miles.
- Bell arrived in Mombasa at 12.12pm local time on Friday.
- The expedition raised more than £110,000 for the PTSD charity Rock2Recovery.
- Prince William praised Bell for the achievement.
Still unconfirmed
- Bell is believed to be the first man ever to solo row across two oceans without returning to land.
- Bell has a fear of the water.
What to watch next
- Official verification of the world record by governing rowing bodies
- Further details on the total funds raised for Rock2Recovery
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (12)
- www.xe.com — Currency Converter - Currency Exchange | Xe
- blog.prepscholar.com — I.e. vs E.g. vs Ex.: Which Is Which? - PrepScholar
- dictionary.cambridge.org — EX | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
- BBC — Ex-Royal Marine from Dorset completes Pacific and Indian Ocean row
- The Telegraph — Ex-Royal Marine completes world record row across two oceans
- AOL.com — William hails former Royal Marine after epic 327-day ocean ordeal
- The Mirror — Ex-Marine completes stunning 10-month row across two oceans and looks like real-life Robinson Crusoe
- Geo News — Prince William celebrates extraordinary achievement: 'Well Done'
- www.bbc.com — Ex-Royal Marine from Dorset completes Pacific and Indian Ocean row
- www.dailymail.com — Ex-Royal Marine completes world record row across two oceans
- www.bbc.com — Ex-Royal Marine from Dorset nears end of epic row across two oceans
- www.mirror.co.uk — Ex-Marine completes stunning 10-month row across two oceans and looks like real-life Robinson Crusoe
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