Remi attraverso l’oceano: i veterani ucraini affrontano l’Atlantico

According to Ivan Havrylko, the idea of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean began during a conversation with longtime friend Dmytro Rezvyi, while Ivan was recovering abroad from his third combat injury.

“Dmytro had the idea to do something for veterans, for the wounded, and to organize a crossing of the ocean. We wanted to show that even with disabilities, we are still capable of doing something this big. And at the same time, raise funds for veterans’ rehabilitation”

Ivan initially told Dmytro he was currently in a wheelchair and it was unclear if he would walk again. That was in 2023. But by December 21, 2024, Dmytro and Ivan set off on a sea journey aboard “Sofia,” a boat built by Dmytro himself.

Originally, Dmytro hadn’t planned to row across the ocean with Ivan; he had only offered his boat. Ivan joined a different crew. However, by the second day cracks appeared in the boat near the track for the sliding seats. The captain decided to end the expedition.

“The captain called a helicopter. We had to jump into the water, and they lifted us out one by one. The boat was left adrift on a sea anchor. I was really upset — I thought it was the end. But Dmytro offered to help search for the boat and continue the journey. We went to a local supermarket, bought four aluminum strips, found some folks who helped us track down the boat — they were Ukrainians from Odesa. The captain checked all the electrical systems. We repaired the boat and set out on the journey.”

The first two weeks were mentally challenging — the sailors’ personal space was limited to two tiny cabins and the boat’s deck.

“Our hands were chafed from rowing — gloves or no gloves. And when the waves were big, we’d sometimes get hit in the ribs with an oar. We had bruises,” said the marine.

Their worst injuries came from stepping barefoot on fishing hooks.

“The first fish we caught was a tuna. While trying to calm it down, Dmytro stepped on a hook — deep. I also stepped on one. We treated ourselves — I had experience as a combat medic. One day I slipped and broke two or three toes on my already injured leg. They turned black. At first, I thought it was dirt. Then I realized they were broken. I couldn’t feel them anyway — the nerves were damaged,” said Ivan.

There were days he wanted to quit.

“We had a good current, the wind was carrying us. I sat there, watching the compass, steering. Dmytro was asleep. And the thoughts came — why did I agree to this? What’s the point? The only thing keeping me alive right now is this boat and a safety harness clipped to it. At first, those thoughts haunted me. But later I came to appreciate that I had time — just to sit, do nothing, dip my feet in the water, and stare at the horizon. I rethought a lot of things,” Ivan shared.

As for entertainment on the boat, Ivan said they had coffee, tea, fishing, and feeding fish overboard.

“In the mornings, I’d gather the fish that landed on our deck overnight. Schools of mahi-mahi followed us. I’d throw flying fish back into the water and call out ‘chick-chick-chick’ — like I was feeding chickens,” he laughed.

[https://suspilne.media/lviv/1053155-podoroz-cerez-atlanticnij-okean-ta-tri-poranenna-na-fronti-istoria-morpiha-ivana-gavrilka/](https://suspilne.media/lviv/1053155-podoroz-cerez-atlanticnij-okean-ta-tri-poranenna-na-fronti-istoria-morpiha-ivana-gavrilka/)