Any mutinous intentions aboard Commando Joe are likely to receive short thrift during the trans-Atlantic voyage– as a former Regimental Sergeant Major, Mark Waterson’s discipline should be particularly effective.

Mark, 44 this year, joined the Royal Engineers straight from school aged just 16. He quickly progressed through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class 1 RSM and was finally commissioned as a Late Entry Captain in 2001.

“I could never concentrate on school work, which meant I left without getting any qualifications,” says Mark. “So that became something I had to overcome. The Army is a competitive career and you don’t get anywhere by default. Receiving my commission marked a true milestone,” says Mark.

“That Army role has also been responsible for shaping me as a true team player,” he says, “so that in situations where teamwork and attention to detail are important, I know I can manage people to ensure they produce their best.”

What about Mark’s reasons for joining the Commando Joe team? “I’ve known Pete since I joined the Army back in ’76 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 vital funds for the Meningitis Trust in the process is the least I can do.

“There’ll be a massive sense of achievement at completing the event and, apart from the fundraising, I hope we’ll be able to raise the profile of the Trust and make more people aware of the valuable work they do.”

It won’t be an easy task, Mark freely admits. Sleep deprivation, and an inability to fully escape the elements until the team reaches Plymouth and dry land, will be the hardest to overcome, although both should be reasonably familiar to Commando-trained personnel.

“What I’m most looking forward to, however, is the isolation of the Atlantic Ocean and the completion of another of life’s challenges!”