The health of the UK’s coastal waters is set to be assessed in an innovative way as The Crown Estate collaborates with the GB Row Challenge, one of the world’s most challenging ocean endurance races. This partnership aims to create a comprehensive library of marine environmental data collected by rowers during their journey around Great Britain’s coastline.
The GB Row Challenge, often dubbed ‘the world’s toughest rowing race,’ will see teams navigate over 2,000 miles of coastline, facing complex tidal systems, heavy shipping traffic, and unpredictable weather conditions. In 2026, this extraordinary physical endeavor will also serve as a large-scale scientific mission, merging athleticism with environmental research.
Each participating boat will be equipped with scientific sensors to gather crucial data from some of the UK’s most dynamic and under-monitored coastal areas. As crews contend with fatigue and challenging conditions, they will collect information on microplastic pollution, biodiversity, underwater noise, sea temperature, and salinity.
This valuable data will be uploaded to The Crown Estate’s Marine Data Exchange, one of the largest repositories of marine industry data globally, making it accessible to scientists, policymakers, and the public. GB Row Challenge founder William de Laszlo emphasized the partnership’s alignment of human endurance with environmental science, expressing excitement about the collaboration’s potential for marine conservation.
Share it now
Related posts:
Collaboration to Enhance AI-Powered Connectivity in Maritime Industry
New Guide for Maritime Administrations to Enhance Maritime Awareness
Singapore and France Collaborate for Maritime Digitalization and Efficiency
GCMD and PSA International Collaborate to Advance Maritime Decarbonization Initiatives
