Two Herts Police officers are set to tackle hurricanes, 50ft waves and shark-infested waters as they bid to row across the Pacific Ocean in world record time.

Darren Clawson and Arron Worbey are taking on the 3,000-mile challenge from Monterey, California, to Honolulu in Hawaii, with two other crew mates this May.

They will be raising money for charities close to their hearts including for Saint Elizabeth’s Centre in Much Hadham, which cares for more than 200 vulnerable children and adults with severe learning disabilities and complex medical needs.

The officers are hoping to break the current world record time of 39 days, 12 hours and 20 minutes to complete the crossing and, if successful, they will also be the oldest crew to do it as they’re all in their 40s.

Darren said: “This challenge has particular importance to me because my son Hadley attends Saint Elizabeth’s Centre. He receives excellent specialist care from the staff there and also schooling that he would never have access to elsewhere.”

Hadley, 14, was left severely disabled after suffering life-threatening seizures when he a toddler. Since then Darren, with the support of Arron and others, has been a keen fundraiser.

The rowers, who have a fundraising target of £100,000, will also donate to the Marine Conservation Society and will be raising awareness around the issue of ocean plastics during their crossing.

Their trip will see them row in two-hour shifts, 24 hours a day for almost two months. They will navigate shark infested waters, face 50ft waves and possibly even hurricanes.

The specially built 28ft rowing boat – emblazoned with the Hertfordshire Constabulary crest – is now ready for the high seas.

Arron said: “Our journey has its own unique challenges as we’ll be fighting for every metre, pushing ourselves to the limit, because the current and winds will be trying to push us in the opposite direction for a significant amount of the voyage.

“At the start of our journey we’ll need to cross extremely busy shipping lanes and then we face the prospect of hurricanes developing on route.

“We know that we’re likely to capsize during our journey so how to recover from this emergency situation has been a key part of our training.

“If something goes wrong we’re completely alone and any help could be days away so it will be down to us to fix it.”

He added they will survive on rehydrated food cooked on a small gas stove, using sea water transformed into drinking water, along with sweets and dried fruit.

Chief Constable Charlie Hall said he was in “complete awe” when he learnt of the challenge.

“During what has been an incredibly difficult year for so many people it is uplifting to see two Hertfordshire officers giving back and I wish them the best of luck on their travels,” he added.

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