Galway Bay fm newsroom - Two Galway men are currently attempting to break a world record by rowing unsupported across the Atlantic.
City-native Damian Browne and Fergus Farrell from Athenry set off from New York earlier today.
Damian, known for his achievements in rugby and extreme sports, previously crossed the Atlantic solo in 2017 in a grueling 63 day journey.
Lifelong friends Damian and Fergus are undertaking the almost 5,000km journey from New York to Galway with the aim of breaking a pairs record set in 1896.
On that occasion, Norwegians George Harboe and Frank Samuelsen completed the dangerous crossing in a time of 55 days and 13 hours.
Over the past 125 years, many have attempted to break the record - but Damian and Fergus are confident they'll be the ones to make waves and claim the crown.
They'll be rowing for 24 hours a day in their custom boat, working in shifts and snatching sleep wherever they can.
They'll have 65 days of food with them in the form of freeze-dried rations, that can be cooked using water supplied by a desalinator.
Their effort, entitled Project Empower, is in aid of four charity organisations - National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Ability West, Madra and The Galway Simon Community.
The public are asked to sponsor every km of the 5,000km journey - full details are available at ProjectEmpower.ie.
