WEST Buckland marine explorer Dom Mee is taking on a new challenge to break the Atlantic rowing record east to west.

Joining three other members of the Royal Marine Reserves British Ocean Rowing Team, Dom hopes to beat the record set in 1992 by La Mondial, which took 35 days and eight hours to complete using ten oarsmen and a large vessel.

The British Ocean Rowing Team, consisting of captain Dom, Ed James from London, Pete Bird from Bristol and Tom Rendell from Wiltshire, will set off in January from La Palma in the Canary Islands and finish in February, in Barbados.

The team has been hard at work, building up strength and reserves for the tough challenge ahead.

The 26ft ocean rowing boat is now en route to the Canary Islands courtesy of shipping company, Maersk.

Dom said: "Getting the team and the boat ready for the record attempt means psychologically we are already past the half-way mark. It takes a tremendous amount of effort just to make plans become reality and we are deeply indebted to all our sponsors."

Dom Mee joined the Royal Marines in 1988 and served for 15 years, receiving two commendations for Northern Ireland and his expeditions worldwide.

He is also a successful International Yacht racer with thousands of miles of offshore experience and has taken part in races such as the Sydney to Hobart race and the Fasnet race. He is a qualified RYA Yacht Master and has been awarded the Royal Navy Sailing Association's Errol Bruce trophy on two occasions.