Ocean rowing boats have come a long way from the first crossings made in the 19th Century. The technology revolution has meant that boats are now faster, stronger and safer than at any other time in history.

Made of marine ply-wood and coated with epoxy resin, the boat is roughly 7.5m long and 1.8 metres wide.

Loaded with the food, provisions and equipment that is needed for the crossing, it will weigh around a thousand kilos.

There is a small cabin in which to sleep, on-board equipment is all powered by solar energy. However, the boat is arguably the simplest component of the trip.

2x Iridium Satellite phones: To receive weather reports from the race organisers, deliver diary entries and stay in touch with the UK from wherever in the Indian Ocean

1 x Inmarsat C, 1 x Inmarsat D: Inmarsat is a store-and-forward data messaging service. It will enable Simon to access the internet, fax and emails, and to ensure his progress can be tracked

Video camcorders: Sun, sea, sharks and more sea

1 x handheld GPS The Global Positioning System (GPS): is a satellite navigation system. Ground station receivers around the world monitor the system constantly and will be able to pinpoint the boat's exact position at any time, under any conditions .

B&G 1000 navigation system: High-tech navigation system so Simon knows he is going in the right direction

Handheld Fluxgate compass: The fluxgate compass uses an electronic sensor to detect it's position relative to the earth's magnetic poles. In other words, it's extremely accurate and highly reliable

1 x PUR water maker (plus spares): There will not be room to carry large amounts of water. Instead he'll be carrying a water maker. This does exactly what it says on the tin, condensing moisture in the air and turning it into drinkable water

2 x fixed EPIRBS, 1 x handheld EPIRB: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons. In the event of an emergency, and if all other communications fail, Simon will still be able to use these to alert the rescue services

1 x Argos tracking beacon: Transmits his precise location at regular intervals back to UK HQ

MP3 music juke box: Simon will be taking around 300 albums on MP3