The research
The Science
An Atlantic crossing isn’t just an athletic challenge — it’s a 50-day laboratory at sea. Three research streams run in parallel across the crossing, each producing data that’s difficult or impossible to collect anywhere else.
The T1D Human Laboratory
2,800 miles. 1.5 million oar strokes. Constant glucose management.
Managing Type 1 Diabetes is a 24/7 job on land. At sea, under the strain of 12+ hours of daily rowing and extreme sleep deprivation, it becomes a high-stakes data science project. This is the physiological “front line” of our crossing.
Real-Time CGM Tracking
Continuous Glucose Monitoring to capture a 50+ day unbroken data set of glycaemic variability in an extreme endurance environment.
Insulin Sensitivity & Fuelling
Analysing the impact of low-GI fuelling and the metabolic cost of rowing 2,800 miles on insulin requirements.
The Safety Protocol
Developing specialised T1D safety “Red Zones” for unsupported ocean rowing — paving the way for future T1D adventurers.
Meet the athlete
Kimberley Hansford · Endurance athlete & T1D advocate
Living with Type 1 Diabetes, Kim has used endurance sports — a full Ironman, multiple half Ironmans, and multiple marathons — to master the intersection of data and performance. Her mission: proving that with the right technology and data, a chronic condition is not a barrier to the world’s toughest challenges.
The Environmental Laboratory
Zero-emission marine research from a silent, human-powered platform.
Most marine research is conducted from motorised vessels that introduce noise, fuel, and lubricants into the very environment they’re studying. As an unsupported, human-powered rowing boat, Brothership offers a rare “silent” platform for pristine environmental sampling across 2,800 miles of ocean rarely reached by commercial vessels.
Microplastic Trawling
Manual filtration protocols to collect microplastic data along a 2,800-mile Trans-Atlantic transect, documenting plastic density in under-sampled waters.
Acoustic Ecology
Our silent hull allows for the monitoring of marine life and ocean soundscapes without the interference of engine noise or mechanical vibration.
Zero-Contamination Sampling
Because we carry no fuel, oils, or lubricants, our platform eliminates the cross-contamination risks common to traditional motorised research vessels.
Our boat is your remote laboratory. We’re actively seeking partnerships with universities, NGOs, and environmental tech firms — for bespoke data collection, sensor validation studies, or ESG-linked sponsorship of tangible ocean-health research.
Working in marine research, environmental tech, or ocean sensor validation? Let’s talk →The Leadership Laboratory
Applied resilience — the ultimate small-office environment.
Most ocean rowing teams talk about the physical struggle. We’re doing something else too: using the Atlantic as a living lab to stress-test the frameworks of leadership, team dynamics, and stress management that Lieven has spent three decades applying in the corporate world.
360° Accountability
Applying Lieven’s expertise in full-cycle feedback projects to a 24/7 high-intensity environment.
Entrepreneurial Grit
Using the Entrepreneur360° tool to map how “start-up” resilience translates to survival at sea.
Biometric Data
Tracking the intersection of Type 1 Diabetes (CGM data) and physiological stress response across a sustained pressure environment.
Meet the expert
Lieven Cornelis · Leadership & organisational development
Three decades of experience across Europe and India. Lieven specialises in HR audits & talent mapping for VCs and scale-ups, leadership development for diverse global teams, and stress management — the 16 types of professional stress, now being applied to the ultimate “small office” environment.
For Gold and bespoke sponsors, we bring the insights back: post-row leadership workshops for executive teams, an “Atlantic Audit” white paper on team dynamics under extreme duress, and keynote speaking that combines authentic storytelling with 30 years of organisational expertise.
Working in organisational development, executive coaching, or team dynamics? Let’s talk →How the data travels back
All three research streams run simultaneously across the crossing. Data is logged on board, transmitted via satellite where possible, and handed to research partners on arrival.
On board
CGM, water samples, structured log entries
Satellite
Daily position & log dispatches
Analysis
Research partner institutions
Publication
Open-access papers and reports
Partner on the research
Research partnerships and brand sponsorships are different conversations — both welcome. If your work sits in T1D research, marine science, or organisational psychology, let’s talk directly. If you’re a brand looking to sponsor, our Sponsorship page is where to start.