How to stay connected while rowing over the Atlantic

Rowing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, it seems like an impossible challenge. Nevertheless, every year a number of teams take up the challenge in the Talisker Whiskey Transatlantic Challenge. This year South Africa also participates with a fantastic team of young people. They will be rowing to draw attention to plastic pollution in the oceans and to raise funds for recycling the waste into new school desks. Castor Networks in South Africa was approached to come up with a solution that would keep them in touch with their families during the trip.

School desks

Cole Barnard, Matt Boynton, Grant Soll and Lee Gordon have had a tough year; they have invested blood, sweat and tears to get ready for the race. At the same time they have completed their own bachelor degrees. They know the importance of good education and therefore they have set the goal to get no less than 500 school desks of recycled plastic for less privileged schools. A win-win situation, because the desks are made of contaminated plastic that comes from the ocean. As a result, the oceans are partially relieved of their suffering under plastic pollution.

Iridium Hand Held devices

To keep the team in contact with their friends and families in South Africa, Castor Networks delivered two Iridium Hand Held devices. With the worldwide coverage of Iridium and the proven performance during bad weather, this is the best choice for the team.