currents before reaching a dense area of ice that had been driven into the bay by storms. At this point the boat's unique design as a sledge-boat enabled them to haul the boat from the water and manually pull it across the ice on the final 2–3 miles to the Pole. This boat-hauling exercise took the crew 10 hours to complete. They arrived at the Pole position on 26 August 2011. Jock Wishart announced the success saying "There is now a row boat at the '96 Mag. North Pole". On BBC Radio 4's Today programme as "an incredible journey that will go down in the history books. It's a true global first and probably one of the greatest rows of all time." Boat and crew The expedition was led by maritime and polar adventurer, explorer and sportsman Jock Wishart. His crew were Mark Delstanche, Billy Gammon David Mans, Rob Sleep and Mark Beaumont. Beaumont filmed the voyage for a BBC documentary 'Rowing the Arctic'. The expedition boat has three rowing positions on the open deck and berths for all six crew. It is self-righting and is fitted with additional equipment to enable it to be hauled out of the water onto ice and then pulled on its runners. As such it is a unique 'ice boat' design. The vessel has what is called a cathedral hull, so-named because of its profile resembling an upturned church roof. It was designed by Peter Bosgraaf, in collaboration with Welbourne Yacht Design. Hugh Welbourne advised on the laminates and under water construction, while Roger Daynes of advised on the design and construction of the "runners" on the bottom of the ice boat. The boat was built by Cris Rossiter in Christchurch, Dorset, UK. References External links Arctic expeditions July 2010 events August 2010 events