A Chester-born commander has made a triumphant return to terra firma after his team rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in just over five weeks to win a gruelling race.

Family, friends and fellow seafarers alike gathered in eager anticipation for the arrival of the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic 2023 Champions in the historic Nelsons Dockyard in English Harbour, Antigua.

Among the roars of supporters and blaring of superyacht sirens, Team HMS Oardacious received a triumphant reception after conquering this year’s World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic in a time of 35 days, four hours and 30 mins.

The HMS Oardacious team of Matt Main, Dan Seager, Rob Clarke, Ian Allen and Mike Forrester MBE. Picture: Worlds Toughest Row.

The HMS Oardacious team of Matt Main, Dan Seager, Rob Clarke, Ian Allen and Mike Forrester MBE. Picture: World's Toughest Row.

The team includes Commander Dan Seager, marine engineer officer on the submariners team, which is raising awareness and money to support mental health initiatives for submariners and their families.

Dan grew up in Chester and went to Christleton High School until 2003. He then joined the Royal Navy and studied at Newcastle University to later become a submariner, serving all over the world for the past 17 years.

He's served on HMS Trafalgar, an Astute Class submarine, and in his last seagoing role was marine engineer officer (chief engineer) onboard.

He joined Royal Navy submariners Ian Allen Matt Main, Mike Forrester and Rob Clarke (all UK), as they all undertook what was arguably their most enduring maritime enterprise ever, which included spending Christmas at sea.

Navigating immense mid-Atlantic swells, unrelenting weather conditions and tremendous physical and psychological battles, they emerged united and victorious.

As stated by crewmember Mike: “You can’t fight it, you get knocked down, you get hit again and again but you need to get back up, get your head together and pull yourself together with the team - and we did”.

In times of solace, Dan Seager was able to poetically express their quest through his writings to their supporters back home, describing not only their extraordinary encounters with blue marlin and whales, however also the moments of agony and pain which the team successfully persevered through.

HMS Oardacious – uniquely dubbed the Royal Navy’s ocean rowing team, are repeat contenders in the World’s Toughest Row series. Their next formidable team to take on this unforgiving challenge will be an all-female team in December 2024.

The HMS Oardacious Fund, which exists and collaborates with The Submarine Family, The Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, Submariner Memorial Appeal and Help Jim’s Story charities, aims to promote mental health awareness among submariners and their families during their course of duty. Having had support from His Royal Highness, Prince William, Prince of Wales, the team and their mission has raised a substantial amount of money and will be directed to their very noteworthy causes.

Race CEO Carsten Heron Olsen dedicated the race in memory of Alasdair Putt, who sadly passed away at sea during the challenge.