POOLE adventurer David Whiddon has completed a gruelling 3,300 nautical mile row across the unforgiving Atlantic Ocean.

David, who works as a sea survival expert at Poole’s RNLI Lifeboat College, crossed the finishing line in Barbados with rowing partner Lloyd Figgins.

The pair spent 60 days and 17 hours at sea in their cramped 23-foot rowing boat, Atlantic Calling, completing one of the most gruelling endurance challenges on the planet.

Along the way, the intrepid duo battled terrifying storms with seven metre waves – the same size as an average UK house.

They also diced with death during three near collisions with gigantic oil tankers, rowed with a crack in the hull, encountered nosy sharks and even hallucinated through sleep deprivation.

After arriving at Port St Charles in Barbados, David said: “It has been a remarkable, once in a lifetime experience and we would like to thank our sponsor Everyone Active for helping to make it happen.

“The challenge has been incredibly tough at times but thoroughly rewarding.

“We have dedicated this row to all the RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers and crew past and present, who help to save lives at sea.”

The pair hope to raise £24,000 for the RNLI’s Train One, Save many campaign.

This total represents the cost of training the crew at one lifeboat station per year.

One of David and Lloyd’s biggest supporters was legendary adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

He said: “I extend my congratulations to the crew of the Atlantic Calling who have completed a remarkable journey.

“It represents the spirit and determination required to beat the odds and succeed.”

Lloyd, a remote field safety and risk management consultant, said they were fortunate to have had so many people give up their free time to help prepare for the crossing, which began in Morroco.

Bournemouth University’s Centre for Event and Sport Research provided psychological and physiological expertise during the pair’s training.

RNLI chief executive Paul Bossier said: “The RNLI are extremely proud of this courageous duo and their tremendous initiative.

“They have my utmost respect and admiration to confront the might of the Atlantic Ocean. I am delighted to hear they have arrived safely.”