| Nationalities: | Britain (UK). |
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I have worked in and around the marine part of the world all my life, from fishing a small clinker boat before school, before moving to Aberdeen at the age of 17 to serve my time as a loftsman in Hall Russell shipyard while attending Technical collage for 5 years. I had just completed my apprenticeship before Maggie Thatcher abbruptly shut down the shipyards. I was always interested in the construction of things from steel and I find this easy enough because if a mistake is made, you just weld it up and start again. Wood is a lot more challenging to work with because there is less room for error.
At the age of 21 I made the decision to travel back home and build a small steel creel boat (see ‘Duncan’s Backyard’ Page) which at the time was featured in the “fishing news” and on the “North Tonight” programme I fished this for several years, before joining my brother in-law in the fish processing business (MackayBros), as well as continuing fish grading on the local pier. During this time I joined the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and served 20 years as a volunteer on the crew. I have a great passion for being out on the sea. I love when the weather is wild, or as I describe it alive! During my time involved I learnt boat skills such as overboard drills, helicopter training, capsizing techniques, radio operating and basic navigation. I worked towards the assistant harbour master’s job in my local village and was successful in achieving this and worked at this post for 7 years. This included port authority, working on vessels, forklifts, cranes, fuel bunkering with a multinational fleet.
To row across the North Atlantic Ocean from New York to Lochinver in a self-built clinker style skiff converted for ocean rowing.
The vessel has such nice original flowing hull lines that this was decided? to keep exactly the same with my own topside and internals only being designed different to suit the row. This project will only be remotely possible through the approval to build through the original designer Ian Oughtred who has been a great help to me.
The build to be completed over the winter of 2016-17 with a year to iron out the problems and shorter sea trials with an accompanied rigid workout routine with a view to crossing around May 2018, after approval from the relevant authorities either side of row.
Initially, my route will take me east, roughly following a course of 40 degrees north latitude before I begin to head north east towards the U.K., utilising the Gulf Stream leading on and upwards with the North Atlantic drift to help me on my 3400 miles journey home. If and when i get near the Hebrides i will allow a good last days row for the home straight as i approach land again as I don’t want to be sleeping during this time. I aim to arrive in Lochinver (90-100 Days estimated), between July-August–2018!
The Atlantic Row will involve rowing at least for 12 hours, each day, for 3 months as well as coping with the various hazards. The North Atlantic Ocean can present
such as– Hurricanes/ Shipping/ Debris/Icebergs
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
I will be expected to carry a certain amount of emergency equipment or else the US Coastguard will not let me leave New York.
This will include a life raft, immersion suit, EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), flares, sea anchor-droughs and a Grab Bag (this will contain items that will help me survive should I have to abandon the boat). I myself will be expected to have attained certain qualifications to prove that I am ready for the challenge ahead and these include VHF/ radio certified, First Aid, sea survival(which I have and update all the time) and navigation I will do an Ocean Navigation course.
I have already completed several of these courses through the offshore work I do. Also, I have gained sound knowledge/experience of the marine environment with 20 years’ service as a volunteer crew member in the RNLI.
In my early 30s I made the decision, after a friend’s advice, that it was time for a career change. I wanted to get back involved with my true desire, which is making things. The sector that appealed to me and which fitted with my needs would be a Rope Access Technician, as this involves welding/plating/fabricating/burning/dismantling/painting/rigging. I completed the rope access level 1 course, which got me started. I have now been working as a technician for over 14 years, mainly offshore. This has taken me all over the world with different companies and on all sorts of strange vessels. I have had to keep up to date with medicals and offshore survival training, with practical ditching courses, first aid and rope tickets. This has helped me to keep in reasonable shape.
In my spare time I enjoy a variety of sports and outdoor activities. I am very passionate about is Motor Trials biking. I have taken part and completed the Scottish 6 days trial, which is known as the best trials competition on the planet. When I’m not offshore/working I enjoy making rough wood carvings with a chain saw. At the moment I am constructing a 42 foot totem pole in situ (on the ropes), which is a bit of a challenge. In the past I have carved 2 giraffes from trees in my garden. I have also made 2 wooden crocodiles each about 5m long. I have given one of my friends (owner of Achins Bookshop) a 23 foot totem pole, which is displayed outside his shop. I like a challenge, a few years back I walked up 5 distinctive local mountains in 21 hours. The mountains conquered were Stac Pollaidh (2008ft), Cul Mor (2785ft), Quinag (2651ft), Canisp (2779ft) and Suilven (2398ft). This raised £1000+ helping to kickstart the build for a local leisure centre.
I juggled all of these jobs/interests while raising three children Daniel, Franci and Clarke with my lovely wife Marianne. I always try to finish what I start and I’ve been told I am quite thrawn about this. I always say to my daughter “think Beyond“ and that’s what I’m going to try to do. Well that’s it for now and I hope in a year or so I can add another venture onto the bottom of this. Duncan Hutchison (a kind a normal guy) well!!! Not sure if everyone will agree but if we were all the same it would be boring.
He is Scottish.
https://duncanadrift.com
https://share.garmin.com/JonMonks (jon monks is the person who lent the garmin gsp tracker)
https://www.facebook.com/duncanadrift/