Welcome to the great Kiel Canal Race.
In lane one, the 20,000 tonne Devonport based assault ship HMS Bulwarkwith its 4 engines producing 18 knots.
In lane two, Bulwark’s Sailors and Royal Marines and one rowing machine.
The start – the Baltic Sea at Kiel.
The finish – the North Sea at Brunsbutell.
Auf die Plätze, fertig, los (ready, steady, go!).
Beat the Bulwark’ race Chief Petty Officer David ‘Tug’ Wilson, currently serving in the amphibious assault ship, suggested the ‘Beat the Bulwark’ race as the ship made its way towards the UK on its return from exercises in the Baltic Sea. The concept was simple, 100 of the ship’s company would each row 1,000 metres as quickly as possible as the ship made the
100 KM passage through the Schleswig-Holstein peninsula.
The result – a resounding victory for the ‘crew’ who beat Bulwark by 26.5 KM.
Captain Jeremy Blunden, the CO of Bulwark, cheered on by members of the Ship’s Company, rowed the final 1,000 metres. Once he had caught his breath back he said, ‘The ship’s company have proved too quick for Bulwark in this instance; I’m not sure they would beat the ship through Panama or Suez though! It’s been a fun and thoroughly enjoyable challenge and we have also managed to make some money for charity.’
