Dad embarks on journey across Atlantic Ocean in tiny boat 

By Charlie Fenton

A daredevil dad has finally set off in an attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the "world's smallest boat," three years after his previous vessel "sank."

Andrew Bedwell, 52, set sail from Newfoundland, Canada, on Wednesday, at the start of a 1,900-mile solo crossing.

On Thursday, his home-built vessel known as the Big C V2 and measuring just 1.2m long (3.9ft) had traveled five nautical miles.

The keen sailor from Scarisbreck, Lancashire., hopes to complete the Big C Atlantic Challenge in around 90 days.

In the hours before setting off, Andrew said: "I'm so excited, but this is a huge challenge for me as well.

"Some say getting to the start is the hardest - I hope so, and then I can look forward to doing what I love.

"It's also fantastic to be raising money for Cancer Research UK, so if it just saves one life, it's worth it."

The mariner's latest attempt at a voyage will be his second in three years, with his previous vessel - named 'Big C' made from fiberglass - being sidelined after it "sank" in 2023 on the first day.

Andrew was then tasked with creating a new boat which he named 'Big C V2', which is fractionally longer than the last yacht and made from tougher aluminium and has a top speed of 3.7 knots (4.2mph).

The daredevil sailor planned to take on the challenge in May last year but postponed it until now after wanting to complete more sea trials.

In April earlier this year he shipped the tiny boat from the UK to the starting point in Newfoundland, Canada, ready to take it on.

At the time he said he was and says he is "excited" to attempt the feat which is his “lifelong dream”.

The record has been unbroken for the past three decades being held by Hugo Vihlen, who made the dangerous crossing in 105 days in a 1.6m (5ft 4inch) boat 30 years ago.

The small vessel arrived on May 20th and was craned into the starting point of Petty Harbour on June 1 two days before he planned to set off.

According to Rita Taylor, 29, a friend of Andrews who put him and his friend Gordon up for the past three weeks after he arrived in Canada, this was to allow him to ensure it was in "good working order" before he set off.

The retailer said: "Last time was too rushed - the boat was craned in on the day he planned to set off.

"This time it allowed him and Gordon to monitor and check on it to ensure everything was fine before launch day."

Before he was released, Andrew's boat was pulled out 4 and a half miles off the coast of Canada past Cape Spear - the easternmost point in North America.

This was so he could escape the winds which could have pushed him back to shore, according to Tina, as his boat can only travel in the downwind.

Tina said: "The vibe on board was very positive, everything felt good, and Andrew's spirits were high.

"The conditions were the best he was going to get, calm waters with the wind blowing in a southwesterly direction at force 3, around 10 mph.

"The tow out was very smooth, the boat was moving with the wind and bobbing in the water well.

"Andrew climbed into the boat and checked everything was all good, he seemed confident.

"When it came to the release it was very clean and smooth.

"The wind changed for the better when we got past Cape Spear, his sails picked up straight away and he when he set off he began sailing in the right direction.

"Andrew setting off was a huge sigh of relief after last time.

"Everyone on board and at home is excited and confident he is going to succeed."

Andrew is 6 foot 2 and with the boat just under four feet long it means he has to spend most of the journey crouched into a slightly extended fetal position during good conditions.

During the rough waters, he has revealed he will be harnessed into a seated position inside what he has described as an "upgraded wheely bin".

He has also told he only has 98 days of food onboard.

Beef jerky, raisins and fat are all blended together to create 1,900 calories bars, which are then vacuum packed, warmed to soften and moulded into the hull which will both strengthen and insulate the vessel.

With the freezing temperatures, choppy conditions, and even the risk of icebergs, surprisingly, Andrew isn't "nervous" at all.

Andrew instead admitted the hardest thing will be to be away from his wife and daughter who are his “rocks”, but he hopes to have enough power on the boat to contact them using a satellite phone.

The seaman says his aims for the challenge are to raise money for Cancer Research and inspire people to "take on their dreams."

Andrew is expected to land back in UK between August and September.