Australian ex-spy and war crimes investigator dies during Atlantic rowing race

Alisdair Putt, a former Australian spy and war crimes investigator, passed away while skippering a rowing boat in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic race. Set to celebrate his 62nd birthday on the boat, Putt suffered a fatal heart attack during the competition from the Canary Islands to Antigua on January 4.

The competition organizers confirmed his demise, stating, “It is with heartfelt sadness that we must convey the news of the death of Alisdair Putt – skipper of the four-person team, Aussie Old Salts.” Despite the crew’s efforts to save him, resuscitation was unsuccessful. Putt’s cardiac-related event on deck prompted organisers to announce an investigation into his death.

Stuart Moore, Andreas Koenig, and Alastair Horton, Putt’s crewmates, were on a safety vessel heading back to land. The tragedy not only impacts the Old Salts team but also the other 37 teams racing across the Atlantic.

The Aussie Old Salts, the sole Australian team in the 4,800km race known as the World’s Toughest Row, aimed to raise funds for a military veterans’ transition center and an Indigenous women’s crisis center in Kununurra. Three crew members had ties to the Royal Australian Navy or Australian Army.

Putt, a former member of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and a war crimes investigator in Darfur, the former Yugoslavia, and Rwanda, spoke about the challenging mission before departing. The team qualified for the race with a two-hour on, two-hour off schedule, 24 hours a day, for six weeks.

Expressing condolences, the organizers stated, “Our most sincere condolences are wholeheartedly offered to the families, friends, and supporters of the Putt family, and the whole of the Aussie Old Salts team.” They also requested understanding and support for the family’s privacy during this mourning period.

Liz Wardley, an offshore sailor and rower, shared a tribute online, describing Putt as a “great guy” whose death had deeply affected the entire fleet.