A Helping Hand in the Middle of the Indian Ocean

An Unexpected Challenge

In the vast emptiness of the Indian Ocean, hundreds of miles from land and far from the usual routes travelled by cruising yachts, ocean rower Aaron Carotta faced an unexpected challenge.

Aaron Carotta and his ocean rowing vessel Smiles. Image (c) Aaron Carotta.

Aaron was in the midst of an extraordinary solo row across the Indian Ocean aboard Smiles, his ocean rowing boat. By late May 2026, he was approximately 750 nautical miles southeast of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), making steady progress westward towards the Seychelles. Despite the remoteness of his location, all was not going entirely to plan.

An inverter failure had left Aaron unable to use the rice cooker needed to prepare his primary food supply. While he still had around 50 kilograms of rice on board, without a reliable way to cook it, much of his food had effectively become unusable. He was catching fish when conditions allowed and his solar-powered watermaker ensured he remained self-sufficient for fresh water, but food supplies were becoming a growing concern.

This was not yet an emergency, but it was a situation that required careful thought and forward planning.
Recognising that the outer islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) represented the nearest landfall, Aaron’s support team contacted the BIOT Administration (BIOTA) to enquire whether an exceptional permit might be possible, allowing Aaron to seek temporary refuge and perhaps obtain a limited food resupply.

An Encouraging Response

As it would seek to do for anyone in distress at sea, BIOTA would grant a permit for safe mooring for Aaron if needed and also offered to contact visiting yachts already permitted within the territory, to see whether assistance with food and drink supplies might be possible.

It was a generous and practical response, demonstrating a willingness to help. Unfortunately, the ocean had other ideas. Although weather conditions remained manageable, prevailing winds and currents were steadily pushing Aaron further west. Reaching the outer islands now appeared increasingly unrealistic.

Aaron’s support team informed BIOTA that while the offer was greatly appreciated, the route simply wasn’t working in his favour. Attention then shifted to alternative solutions.

At BIOTA’s request, experienced cruiser James Ashwell became involved. James and his partner Jin were themselves in the Indian Ocean on a long offshore passage and were familiar with both the region and the cruising networks operating there.

Experienced cruiser James Ashwell of SV Uhuru of London – himself on an Indian Ocean passage – began researching Aaron’s situation. Image (c) James Ashwell.

James undertook a detailed assessment of the situation, reviewing yacht positions, prevailing conditions, currents, shipping routes and possible rendezvous opportunities. His conclusion was clear: a yacht-based resupply would be difficult. Aaron was well removed from normal cruising routes and no cruising yachts appeared to be within several hundred miles of his position. While a couple of yachts might potentially be contacted, the chances of arranging a successful intercept seemed uncertain.

James Ashwell identified that the ocean currents would not help Aaron Carotta to reach BIOT. Image (c) James Ashwell.

However, James identified another possibility.

Aaron was gradually approaching one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world. Commercial shipping traffic, he suggested, might ultimately provide the most realistic avenue for assistance.

James Ashwell identified that as Aaron was approaching one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, a cargo ship provided the best option for a resupply. Image (c) James Ashwell.

At the same time, Noonsite and the Ocean Sailing Association of Southern Africa (OSASA) put out a call across their social media channels, asking whether any cruisers in the Indian Ocean might be able to help. As so often happens in the cruising world, information, ideas and offers of assistance began circulating through networks that span oceans and continents.

Then came the news everyone had been hoping for. On 6 June, Aaron’s support team shared a simple update:

“Thank you everyone. Aaron actually got an early resupply today via a passing cargo ship.”

A Successful Operation

A passing merchant vessel had provided food supplies, removing the immediate concern and allowing Aaron to continue safely towards the Seychelles. The update concluded with a detail that perfectly captured the moment:

“When I spoke with him he was happily eating a Snickers bar.”

After weeks alone at sea, thousands of miles from home and days spent weighing contingency plans involving protected islands, cruising yachts, shipping lanes and international coordination, it was a chocolate bar that became the symbol of a successful outcome. Aaron remains on course for the Seychelles, where friends and supporters are already making preparations for his arrival.

Mariners Look Out For Each Other

His story is a reminder that while modern technology allows us to track a tiny rowing boat across an ocean in real time, some things about life at sea have never changed. Mariners still look out for one another. Whether through government authorities, cruising sailors, online communities or the crew of a passing cargo ship, the instinct to help remains alive and well.

For Aaron, a failed inverter could easily have become a much more serious problem. Instead, thanks to the combined efforts of people spread across thousands of miles of ocean, it became another chapter in an already remarkable voyage.

And somewhere in the middle of the Indian Ocean, a Snickers bar never tasted so good.

Said Aaron through his support crew:

“I have been at sea alone rowing for 580 days over the last 5 years for humanity. As much as I am trying to help other communities with random acts of kindness, there are times I believe in life any solo person gets help. I am the recipient of what I am trying to offer and it is a tribe of fellow seafarers out here, that makes it feel as if one truly never is alone.”

Solo Ocean Rower Aaron Carotta. Pic supplied by Aaron’s support team.

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