Former soldier and corporate leaver to row across the North Atlantic from New York City to the British Isles

British Team Set to Row Across the North Atlantic for Veterans’ Mental Health

Three years ago, Adam Ratcliffe took a leap of faith, leaving behind his corporate job to embrace a life of adventure. Little did he know that one of the challenges he would take on would involve rowing 3,500 nautical miles across one of the most perilous oceans on the planet.

The mission of the four-person British team, known as “Team United We Conquest,” is twofold: to set rowing records across the North Atlantic and to raise awareness about the mental health issues faced by veterans. They departed from Liberty Landing, New Jersey, on Thursday, aiming to reach the Scilly Archipelago in about 43 days.

In a conversation, Ratcliffe and teammate Jack Jarvis discussed the ambitious goal of raising £50,000 (around $67,158) for Head Up, a charity dedicated to enhancing mental health in the British military community.

Jarvis, a seasoned British Army veteran and previous record-holder for the fastest Atlantic crossing, recently left military life. He candidly expressed feelings of a “lack of purpose” since transitioning to civilian life but humorously noted the irony of potentially feeling isolated while at sea with “three other hairy men” for over 40 days. He mentioned, “Doing this gives me a sense of purpose; it feels worthwhile, and it’s a way to make a difference.” Yet, he jokingly acknowledged that true friendship might be tested by long days with close quarters.

On the flip side, Ratcliffe is the only team member without military experience. He left his engineering job to focus on creating adventure content on YouTube, believing he could return to corporate life after this journey.

He emphasized the importance of regaining control over one’s life, suggesting that everyone—veterans or not—has the capacity to influence their environment and interactions. “It’s about rediscovering your own power,” he stated, adding that this journey represents reclaiming that power amidst any challenges.

Ratcliffe and Jarvis will be joined by Royal Marine veterans David “Bruce” Bruce and Sam “Natty” Edwards. The team found and repaired their boat in the Bahamas before rowing it to Florida, and now, with New York behind them, their journey presents significant risks. While many have successfully traversed the Mid-Atlantic, crossing the North Atlantic is far less common—especially for solo or small teams. They noted that some have even lost their lives attempting this route.

Jarvis questioned whether the risk was worthwhile, reflecting on his military experience and the potential to support other veterans through their fundraising efforts. “I want to fulfill my potential. The challenge has really helped me think about life and what it means,” he shared.

After their attempt, they plan to continue to Northampton, England, marking the end of their expedition together. The current record holders for the fastest row across the North Atlantic previously completed the trip in June 2010.

Jarvis also mentioned that they would utilize Elon Musk’s Starlink technology to conduct daily media interviews along the way, playfully suggesting that this adventure might ironically help him break free from his phone addiction.

Supporters can track their journey and send donations through their website.

Both Ratcliffe and Jarvis reflected on how overcoming challenges can encourage others to embrace their true selves. “Adversity is a part of life, whether it’s fighting on the battlefield or just struggling to get out of bed,” Ratcliffe remarked.