Greek Bulker Rescues Finnish Adventurer After Dramatic Solo Rowing Ordeal Around Cape Horn

In a remarkable display of seamanship and humanity, the Greek-managed Ultramax bulker Cymona Eagle (64,700 dwt, built 2024) diverted nearly 24 hours to rescue Finnish solo ocean rower Jari “Jallu” Saario in the remote South Atlantic.

The operation, coordinated by maritime rescue authorities, highlights the professionalism of Greek crews and the unbreakable maritime tradition of aiding those in distress.

Saario, a 53-year-old former firefighter and experienced ocean rower, had embarked on an ambitious “Horn to Hope” expedition: rowing solo from Chile around the treacherous Cape Horn—the first such solo voyage—and then across the South Atlantic toward Cape Town, South Africa. He successfully navigated fierce storms and even collided with an iceberg on New Year’s Eve before his custom 7.3-meter rowing boat (named Clayton) suffered severe damage in violent seas, including flooding, equipment loss, and partial capsize.

On January 9, 2026, Saario issued a distress call via satellite phone after his vessel could no longer withstand the forces. The nearest ship able to respond was the Athens-based Alassia NewShips Management-operated Cymona Eagle, en route eastbound in the South Atlantic—roughly 2,000 nautical miles east of Cape Horn and 1,500 miles southwest of Cape Town.

After swift approval from owner Nicos Hajioannou and charterers Quadra Commodities, the bulker reversed course. Despite howling winds, rough seas, and nighttime conditions, the crew expertly maneuvered alongside the small rowing boat and hauled a slightly disoriented but stable Saario aboard around 2:30 AM Finnish time on January 11. He received immediate medical care on board.

Six days later, Saario disembarked safely in Cape Town before returning home to Helsinki. His support team and agency, MySpeaker, praised his resilience, quick decision-making, and survival instincts, noting he had already achieved a historic first by rounding Cape Horn solo in such a small craft.

Alassia NewShips CEO Basil Sakellis expressed great pride in the crew:
“I am proud of our crew members for both the flawless professionalism with which they conducted the rescue and for the humanity they showed in responding immediately and positively to the request for assistance, despite being almost a full day’s steaming time from the incident.”

The Cyprus Union of Shipowners hailed it as an “extraordinary rescue” and a testament to skill, teamwork, and courage under extreme conditions.

This incident echoes the seafaring code of assistance at sea and underscores the risks of extreme solo adventures in one of the planet’s most unforgiving oceans. Saario, who previously completed solo Atlantic crossings (Gran Canaria to Antigua in 2023, then Canada to Germany), has since shared heartfelt thanks and apologies to supporters via social media.

(Photos: Crew preparing to haul Saario aboard; Saario on his rowing boat before the expedition; footage from the rescue shared on social media.)