Dorset: Former Royal Marine completed 17,500-mile ocean row

Dave ‘Dinger’ Bell, 54, from Bere Regis, reached Kilifi on the Kenyan coast at 12.12pm on October 2, 327 days and 16 hours after setting off from Callao, Peru, on November 9 last year.

He completed the journey without stopping or resupplying, crossing both the Pacific and Indian oceans in his boat, Billy No Mates.

Mr Bell said: "I’m so glad to be back with Georgie.

Dave ‘Dinger’ Bell, 54, from Bere Regis (Image: Story Shop)

"Now, I can’t wait to have a beer, take the longest shower of my life and sleep in a proper bed."

The row is expected to set a new world record for the longest solo, non-stop, unsupported ocean row by distance, pending formal verification.

Mr Bell covered around 15,500 nautical miles, or more than 17,500 miles, during the journey, which took him around northern Australia and across the Indian Ocean to East Africa.

He spent more than 10 months at sea, rowing for up to 12 hours a day and managing navigation, repairs, and supplies.

He faced numerous challenges, including storms, equipment failures, and three rudder repairs.

Electrical systems were damaged during a knockdown in the Coral Sea, forcing him onto a parachute anchor.

An oar was ripped from the side of the boat, breaking its gate, bending a pin, and snapping its safety tether.

Mr Bell said during the crossing: "Rowing has only been one of the jobs.

"I’ve had to become an electrician, mechanic, navigator, chef and nurse.

"When you’re this far from land, there’s nobody else to call.

"Whatever needs doing, you do it."

The journey began as a concept after Mr Bell noticed that ocean-rowing technology was helping crews complete established routes more quickly.

Instead of focusing on speed, he wondered how far one person could travel using modern advances.

Mr Bell said: "Everyone was getting quicker and quicker and I thought, what happens if you replace speed with distance?

"How far can you actually go?"

He has also surpassed his fundraising target of £100,000 for Rock2Recovery, a charity that supports military personnel, veterans, emergency service workers, and their families.

Dave ‘Dinger’ Bell, 54, from Bere Regis (Image: Story Shop)

Mr Bell credited his partner, Georgie, and his wider support team for helping make the journey possible.

He said: "I’m the one pulling the oars, but I’ve not done this alone.

"Georgie has held the project together from the beginning.

"I wouldn’t have got to Peru without her, never mind Kenya."

To donate to Mr Bell, visit sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsor/activity/dinger-cross-pacific-and-indian-ocean-row/dinger.