A Fife submariner said he was looking forward to decent food and a good sleep after completing a 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic.
Matthew Harvey and his teammates aboard the 28ft-row boat HMS Oardacious celebrated a jubilant arrival in Antigua on Saturday evening after 36 days, six hours and 40 minutes at sea.
The 33-year-old, from Kirkcaldy, rowed through shark-infested waters and braved waves as big as houses during the epic voyage as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
He and fellow oarsmen Hugo Mitchell-Heggs, Callum Fraser and Dylan Woods raised more than £100,000 for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity to be used to help servicemen suffering from mental heath problems.
As the team arrived in English Harbour, they were met by family and friends, including Matthew’s parents Bill and Lesley and girlfriend Kirstie Sneddon.
“I’m looking forward to food, a good sleep and a shower,” he said.
“All we’ve talked about is food and drink and that’s all that’s on my mind at the moment.”
Lesley said she had faced an anxious wait for her son to reach the finish line but added: “I’m really proud. I was ready to see him.”
The team left La Gomera on December 12 and spent Christmas in 25-knot winds in the North Atlantic.
They completed 1.5 million strokes by keeping to a strict schedule of rowing for two hours and sleeping for two hours, 24 hours a day.
They burned an estimated 12,000 calories every day and lost around 20% of their body weight.
Despite the huge challenges, including Callum and Dylan being thrown overboard when the boat capsized, they witnessed some awe-inspiring sights such as huge whales and a night rainbow.
And they even managed to gain a famous fan in the form of Dame Judi Dench.
In a message relayed to the team via Radio 5Live, she said: “It’s great what you’re doing and wonderful that you’re doing it for mental health.
“I send you much love and congratulations.”
Before setting off on what is considered to be one of the world’s toughest challenges, Matthew’s only experience of rowing was on a machine at the gym but he spent 150 hours training on the water to prepare.
The leading engineer technician, a former player with Kirkcaldy Rugby Club, said before he left: “One of our advantages as submariners is we are used to working in confined spaces and in close proximity to each other.”
