In undertaking the challenge one of the team’s key objectives is to promote the reduction of the single-use plastics and work towards a Plastic Free Exeter, as well as reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the oceans. Having amassed an impressive range of sponsors to support them in their challenge, the team looked for support to provide a way of displaying the details of those sponsors on their boat. Signs Express (Exeter), locally owned by Nick & Marion Baxter-Sibley, were delighted to offer their assistance and worked closely with the team to provide a package of various sponsor logos as well as undertaking the supply & fit of a full-wrap to both sides of the vessel.

Nick Baxter-Sibley with one of the rowers

The shape & contour of the boat meant that achieving a good implementation of the desired design presented its own challenges, but one the team were very much up for. Application then had to be completed during a very tight window when the boat was out of the water amidst training and ahead of it’s unveiling at the team’s launch event.

Boat at the unveiling

All went to plan and the boat was unveiled on the 13th September at a launch at The Terrace in Exeter City Centre before it sets sail in December 2018. The 4 women will head west from San Sebastian in La Gomera to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua. Once they leave the safety of the harbour they will be on their own, on the vast ocean and at the mercy of the elements, until the race comes into its final stretch.