British sailor rescued at sea in failed world record attempt to cross Atlantic in smallest boat ever

A Lancashire sailor has been rescued at sea in a failed world record attempt to cross the Atlantic in a 4ft boat.

Andrew Bedwell was pulled in by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCGS) after his record-breaking crossing attempt came to an abrupt end just two days into the voyage.

The 100cm vessel Big C V2 ran into technical problems approximately 75 nautical miles east of Newfoundland's Bay de Verde Peninsula on June 5.

Mr Bedwell, who departed from St John's at midday on June 3, was safely recovered by the crew of CCGS Sacred Bay.

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A statement posted on his official Facebook page, Big C Atlantic Challenge, confirmed: "Technical issue. Andrew is fine and back on land. More updates when we can."

Coast Guard officials received notification that the small sailing vessel required assistance at approximately 9:30am local time on the Friday morning.

The rescue ship Sacred Bay was immediately dispatched from Old Perlican to reach the stricken craft, which was positioned roughly 75 miles east of Grates Cove.

Rescue crews arrived on scene and successfully brought Mr Bedwell aboard at around 2:15pm, before transporting him back to Old Perlican.

The tiny vessel, which the Coast Guard described as measuring 1.2 metres, was left adrift in the Atlantic.

Mr Bedwell's final log entry on June 4 noted a falling barometric pressure and expressed anxiety about the incoming weather conditions.

This marked the second occasion that Mr Bedwell's Atlantic ambitions have been thwarted.

His initial attempt in May 2023 ended within hours of leaving St John's when the original Big C began taking on water.

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The vessel was hauled from the harbour for repairs, but disaster struck during the lifting operation.

A crane strop snapped, sending the boat crashing into the harbour wall and causing irreparable damage.

Mr Bedwell commissioned a replacement craft.

Big C V2 was developed in collaboration with naval architect Jérôme Delaunay, featuring an aluminium hull, an encapsulated 115kg lead keel, and a watertight polycarbonate dome hatch.

The upgraded vessel featured twin Dacron sails mounted on an aluminium A-frame with a central furling system, powered by solar panels alongside AGM and lithium batteries.

Mr Bedwell previously navigated his 21ft Mini Transat, Blue One, from Whitehaven in Cumbria to Iceland, venturing into the Arctic Circle.

Speaking to Practical Boat Owner magazine before his departure, he explained his motivation: "There are a few given things in life you will be born and you will die, but in the middle there is a dash, and I want to fill that dash with as many adventures as I possibly can."

The current record holder remains American sailor Hugo Vihlen, who completed the crossing in 1993 aboard the 1.62m Father's Day.

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