Burnley’s Emma Wolstenholme completes epic Atlantic row and sets new World Record

Emma Wolstenholme, 43, was part of the Call to Earth team which rowed unassisted across the Atlantic using solar power, finishing the epic challenge on Saturday, January 24 after 41 days, one hour and 57 minutes at sea.

The trio – Emma, STEM Ambassador Stacey Rivers and former air force pilot John Hammond – also set a new world record as the oldest mixed trio to row an ocean, with a combined age of 157.5 years. The record has been certified by Ocean Rowing Stats.

Emma, a former RAF officer who attended St Hilda’s Roman Catholic Girls’ School in Burnley and Nelson and Colne College, joined the Call to Earth crew in June, becoming part of the Call to Earth: Atlantic Row – a concept created by Stacey, who is also Chief Innovation Officer for a robotics company, and John. Together, the pair built and delivered the Call to Earth campaign from scratch, combining their love of the ocean with a mission to protect the seas and drive sustainable action.

The crew rowed in shifts around the clock, with two hours rowing and one hour resting during the day, and solo night watches of one hour on and two hours off.

Their unassisted boat, Maggi, is an 8.64-metre R45 ocean rowing boat powered entirely by solar energy, including two panels that run a water maker, converting seawater into drinking water.

During the crossing they faced gusts of 20-30 knots (23-34mph), met pods of dolphins, flying fish and a six-foot blue shark, and carried out a dramatic rescue of a turtle trapped in fishing nets.

After spotting the turtle, the team switched off the autohelm and rowed hard backwards. John was able to grab it, Emma took a knife and Stacey cut it free, with Emma capturing the rescue on video before the turtle was released back into the ocean.

The challenge also brought technical setbacks. Earlier this month, a mid-Atlantic repair was needed after an oar holder was damaged in a 30-knot squall. The pivot had broken and the bar snapped on a rowlock, and the crew had to fit a replacement part while strong winds were still blowing.

Emma said: "Our row was a call to action – to innovate, conserve and protect our planet. I've absolutely loved it. I'm happy.

"From rescuing the turtle from fishing nets, to how we make our water from sea water, via the solar-powered desalination device, I hope it has made everyone think again about looking after our planet.

"I really loved it out there. It's been amazing. We saw flying fish – one jumped a few metres in the air, and that was spectacular.

"Having Water Plus back our team all the way amplified our call for action and turned a wild adventure into a truly meaningful illustration of what we can achieve together, championing the benefits in taking climate actions, which all add up to positive impacts for planet and people across the world.

"Our efforts don't stop here, so we ask people to please share our story and the Call to Earth, to help reduce impacts of climate change, so together we can make a bigger positive difference for all."

Stacey said: “Climate change is accelerating, and while the challenges can appear vast, solutions exist. This expedition has delivered moments that will resonate far beyond the finish line. The rescue of a sea turtle trapped in a ghost net was a powerful reminder of the very real threats facing our oceans, and why action cannot wait.

"It's the most amazing thing. We all pulled together and that happened numerous times and that was the most special thing for me, working together as a team. As custodians of our planet and advocates for responsible water stewardship, we all have a role to play in safeguarding our oceans now and for generations to come."