The Commando Joe team: l-r Angus Macmillan, Pete Rowlands, Charlie Martell and Mark Waterson	Pete Rowlands and Charlie Martell in training last month on the Ouse at York

The dramatic rescue last weekend of four trans-Atlantic rowers off the Scilly Isles has not discouraged two East Yorkshire men from undertaking a similar crossing themselves.

Captains Pete Rowlands and Mark Waterson, of Long Riston, Hull, will join with two other Army friends in an attempt to row 2,800 nautical miles across the North Atlantic in 2006, hoping to become the first four-man team to make the crossing successfully from west to east.

“We really felt for the crew of the Pink Lady on hearing the news at the weekend,” says Pete, 43, who is based at the Defence School of Transport, Leconfield. “We had been following their progress since they started the voyage, and were becoming increasingly interested because they appeared on track to beat the current 55-day record by some margin.”

Unfortunately, the team could do nothing to avoid the tail-end of Hurricane Alex. “They had intended to sit out the storm using a sea-anchor – effectively an underwater parachute – when they were hit by a 60ft rogue wave which broke the boat in two,” Pete explains. “Thankfully their thorough safety and survival training ensured there were no casualties, but it does underline the real dangers we face in attempting such a crossing.”

Pete is making the crossing in memory of his 16-year-old son Gareth, who died after contracting meningitis at boarding school in May 2003. “The Meningitis Trust has been a tower of strength to me, my wife Helen and daughter Sian since Gareth’s death last year – and they do the same for hundreds of other families each year.

“Our fundraising target is at least £20,000, but I hope the final sum will be much more than that,” says Pete. “We’d like to ensure that should other families go through the same experience, they have the same level of support that was available to us.”

In recognition of the fact that all four members of the team are trained Royal Marine Commandos, the team is known as ‘Commando Joe’. “The Commando course is recognised worldwide as being about the toughest you can get,” says Mark Waterson, 44, who only recently returned from duty in Iraq. “Teamwork, problem-solving, working under adverse conditions – as Commandos we are used to all that.

“Rowing the Atlantic certainly won’t be easy, but we’ll be well prepared,” he adds.

“I’ve known Pete since I joined the Army back in 1976 and naturally our wives also became best friends. Unfortunately Joy and I could never have children of our own, but Pete and Helen allowed us to love both Gareth and Sian as if they were our own.

“Gareth was the son I could never have, so rowing the Atlantic in his memory and raising much-needed funds for the Meningitis Trust in the process is the least I can do.”

The team must raise £100,000 to cover the cost of the crossing. This includes the boat, safety equipment, training, food for the voyage and transport to the US for the start of the race in June 2006. So far donations from sponsors, including MAN ERF and Ryder plc, have allowed the team to start building the 29ft trans-Atlantic boat, which is expected to be ready in about six weeks’ time.

“Once it’s built, our next focus is to find a trailer on which to tow it to training events and fundraising activities,” says Mark. “This should cost about £1,500 – we’d be delighted to hear from any local companies who could sponsor it, or any individual who could loan us a suitable trailer.”

More details about the team, how to sponsor them or make donations, and information other planned fund-raising challenges including a trek to the North Pole and a race across the Sahara Desert, can be found at www.commando-joe.co.uk

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Notes to editors: The Commando Joe team comprises four members. Pete Rowlands and Mark Waterson, from Long Riston, Hull, are serving Army Captains. Angus Macmillan, from Glasgow, and Charlie Martell, from Gloucestershire, are former Commandos who now work for demining organisations overseas.