More good news...

Things continue to move forward at pace regarding equipment at least. McMurdo Fast Find have donated a Fast Find PLB to the expedition, which means that if everything does go pear-shaped, Pete Tong, etc. and I have to "abandon ship" (for ship, read rock) then I can activate the PLB and be found fast! This is especially important as far out as Rockall as I will be right on the outer limit of HM Coastguard's search and rescue capability, which menas no fuel time for messing around trying to locate me.

The Fast Find is a waterproof 406 MHz Personal Location Beacon (PLB) that should be carried by individuals, who are embarking on trips into areas around the world where there is little or no other form of communication or where other forms of communication are unlikely to work. The Fast Find acts as a personal Emergency Location Beacon, it is my last resort communication to the national and international search and rescue bodies. The Fast Find is designed as a direct communication, to the 406 MHz Search and Rescue satellite system, its signal indicates that I am in need of urgent response and assistance.

Toughbook for a tough challenge!

Things seem to be moving forward very well in 2012! Following a telephone conversation today, I'm please to announce that Panasonic have very kindly agreed to loan me a Toughbook laptop, a water, freeze, shock and dust proof FT3 digital camera, and a professional quality video camera for the duration of the expedition. These will allow me to capture life as it happens on the rock, and once I have satcoms sorted, I'll also be able to blog and Tweet live from Rockall!

Toughbook doesn’t just lead the ruggedized computing market, it defined it. Since the first model launched more than a decade ago, Toughbooks have created their own niche in the world of mobile technology, redefining the possibilities of access to data and applications in the most challenging of environments.

Still the main outstanding issue is that of funding for final bits and bobs, but mostly for the boat charter. I'm so close to finally getting this project off the ground; I now need some hard cash!

Flooring and (maybe) computing

Thanks to the guys at Pyramid who sent the flooring for the RockPod, which arrived safe and sound today by courier. I just need to tighten and cut a few bolts, then the floor can be insulated and fitted over the next couple of weeks.

Also this week, after lots of emailing requests to various companies, I have been contacted by an IT provider and PC manufacturer with a view to supplying the expedition with their services and equipment. I still need to finalise the details, but after boat charter this was the next biggest expense, so will be feeling pretty chuffed if we can agree something concrete.