Case Study Summary. On Jan 13 2008, after 62 days at sea crossing the treachorous Tasman Sea, James Castission and Justin Jones made history. 3300km of gruelling paddling, equipment failures, shark attacks, endless storms and headwinds challenged the duo’s lifelong dream.
Two of Australia’s most determined and focused adventurers, James Castrission, 25 and Justin Jones 24. James left a career with Deloitte, one of the world’s largest professional services firms, deciding that mountaineering, rock climbing, bushwalking and kayaking should be the focus of his life. Justin deferred a masters of commerce at the University of New South Wales after having completed an advanced science degree with Honours in Physiology to pursue a life long dream.
James and Justin set themselves a goal no other person had ever achieved. The duo planned to kayak across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand, un-assisted and purely human powered (no sails or other wind assistance). Straight line, the sea spans over 2200km between the two countries and is renowned for ferocious storms and erratic sea currents.
Prior to their departure, Andrew McAuley attempted to kayak the Tasman Solo. His kayak was found approximately 35 nautical miles from the coast of New Zealand but his body was never recovered. Andrew was one of Australia’s greatest Adventures and a recipient of the prestigious Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2005.
Rush worked closely with James and Justin to plan and execute an intensive risk management, operational and media strategy. The engagement took place over 18 months and included:
- Independent risk management strategy including contingency planning, extraction strategies and communications planning
- 100 hour food restriction (FR) and paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) preparation activity
- Full mission rehearsal with advanced simulation modelling tracking energy, sleep, sea surface current, wind etc
- Liaison and briefing Australian and New Zealand Maritime, Police, Customs, Rescue Coordination Centres
- Recovery rehearsals with Australian Water Police and Rescue Coordination Centres
- Public and Media Relations covering global broadcasters (BBC, Fox), newspapers (New York Times, Financial Times, News Limited, Fairfax) and digital media channels (Youtube, Facebook, Email)
- Full Mission 24hr Operational Support monitoring real-time position reporting (satellite based GPS), hydrological and meteorological reporting and forecasting (supported by NASA, CSIRO and Roger Badham), twice daily skeds (scheduled transmission with James and Justin)
- Origination and negotiation of media deals including exclusivity with ‘60 Minutes’ program
- Sponsorship leverage strategy
On Jan 13 2008, after 62 days at sea crossing the treachorous Tasman Sea, James Castission and Justin Jones made history. 3300km of gruelling paddling, equipment failures, shark attacks, endless storms and headwinds challenged the duo’s lifelong dream.
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