Brit’s Atlantic crossing attempt ends in heartbreak after 3ft homemade vessel sinks

A British father’s ambitious plan to sail across the Atlantic in a tiny homemade yacht has come to a heartbreaking end, after the vessel filled with water upon departure and soon became damaged beyond repair.

Andrew Bedwell had been attempting a 1,900-mile journey from Newfoundland, Canada, to Falmouth, Cornwall, aboard a 3ft by 11ft vessel named Big C.

The ‘Big C Atlantic Challenge’ aimed to achieve the feat of crossing the Atlantic in the smallest boat ever, while raising funds for cancer charities in memory of Bedwell’s father, mother and friend Tom McNally, who helped him design and build the boat before his death.

Bedwell, who works as a yacht builder and sailmaker, had been planning the intrepid voyage for over two years, and had hand-built the fibreglass ‘micro yacht’ from scratch.

Unfortunately, shortly after departing from Canada on Saturday (27 May 2023), Bedwell was forced to return to land when he realised the vessel — which he had nicknamed ‘the wheelie bin’ — was taking on water. The boat returned to dock and was being lifted out of the water for inspection, when the framework gave way and damaged the vessel beyond repair.

The 49-year-old, who comes from Scarisbrick, Lancashire, posted an emotional video titled ‘The end of a dream’ on social media on the weekend. He explains that Big C had taken on “half or three-quarters of a tonne or a tonne of water”, resulting in the framework giving way when the vessel was lifted out of the water.”

Bedwell continued: “She’s dropped down on to the harbourside and basically it’s destroyed the boat.

“I don’t know what to say to everyone who’s supported me, helped me, you’ve all been absolutely amazing. Big C is no more. She can’t carry on. I can’t do it, I’m sorry.”

Bedwell had meticulously planned provisions for the journey, embedding beef jerky, raisins, and vitamin drinks into the cabin walls. A desalination unit was to provide fresh water, and he had opted to bring only one set of clothing for the entire voyage, which had been set to take until August 2023.

A doctor had warned Bedwell that he may have needed to learn how to walk again after the challenge was over, as his muscles would have weakened through the weeks of confinement.

In a statement posted on the Big C Atlantic Challenge Facebook page, Bedwell thanked all those who have supported him so far, and says that he is “beyond devastated.”

He writes: “After two long years, countless hours and god knows how much money — the dream of crossing the Atlantic in Big C is no more … I am beyond devastated. I hoped to drain her, fix it and then either carry on or return her to the UK for a future date. Sadly none of that is now possible.

“There are so many people who have helped me, sponsored me and cheered me on and I feel so awful — I feel I have let you all down. For now I need to get home and process what has happened. Thank you all so much for your support and once again I can’t apologise enough.”