As Miriam and Jess push through the final 1,000 miles of their 8,000-mile odyssey across the Pacific Ocean, the cutting-edge equipment they rely on plays a vital role in ensuring their safety and efficiency. This series delves into that gear, much of which is, or was, protected by intellectual property rights, such as patents.

The Parachute Anchor: A Necessary Evil

The para-anchor is a simple yet vital piece of kit. It does exactly what it says on the tin: it's a parachute used to anchor a boat, particularly when the weather turns foul. Every ocean rower hopes never to deploy it, as doing so usually means facing dangerous conditions, but it is a crucial must-have.

The device consists of a large-diameter parachute held underwater and connected to the bow by a long line. Once deployed, it creates massive drag, slowing or even stopping the boat from being blown off course. Crucially, it forces the bow to point directly into the wind and waves, reducing drift and increasing stability during adverse weather.

Tested by Disaster and Strategy

This essential piece of equipment has already proven its worth to Miriam and Jess. Just 300 miles into their first attempt, a broken rudder forced them to deploy the para-anchor and await a tow back to shore.

On their current journey, with the finish line in sight, it was deployed again on Day 127, this time for strategic rather than emergency reasons:

"The para-anchor is back. This is due to the southerly winds we’re facing, whilst trying to head in a south westerly direction. We were facing headwinds the night before last and so decided to launch the anchor at first light yesterday to stop us from blowing too quickly in the wrong direction.”

— Jess, Ships Log, Tuesday 9th September (Day 127)

Decades of Ingenuity: The Patent Story

While the basic idea of using a water parachute dates back decades, the effectiveness of modern para-anchors lies in the continual refinement made possible by patented innovations: