U.S. Coast Guard Search For 'Scilly Boys' Rowers

Maritime And Coastguard Agency (UK)

US Coast Guard search for charity rowers

Concern was raised for the four crew on the 29 foot Atlantic Ocean Rowing Boat 'Scilly Boys'. Falmouth Coastguard received a iridium call at 01:00am from one of the crew aboard the rowing boat, stating they had capsized, 420 nautical miles east of Cape Cod and all four (himself included) crew were in the two cabins of the boat.

The crew are currently undertaking to cross the Atlantic Ocean for charity from New York, United States of America to the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom (3,100 nautical miles). The team left Liberty Landing Marina on the 1 June 2008.

The United States Coast Guard, Norfolk, Virginia Rescue Coordination Centre, coordinated the search, a merchant vessel 'Gulf Grace' was assisting and a search aircraft (Hercules) was combing the area.

James Instance, Watch Manager, Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, says:

"We have been assisting the US Coast Guard in any way that we can. We were anxious to receive a position update for the boat as we last spoke with the crew at 01:00am and requested that they should activate their beacon, which we picked up only once at 02:20am. The weather conditions on scene are north north-east winds 7 - 8 with a 3 -4 metre seas and poor visibility.

The Crew have now been located by the aircraft and have been taken aboard the 'Gulf Grace' at 08:00am - we understand all four are relatively safe and well - suffering slight hypothermia."

NOTES

For further/background information of this North Atlantic Row 2008 visit the following sites:

* Woodvale Challenge http://www.woodvale-challenge.com

* The crew's website is http://www.row4home

Client ref Duty 2
COI ref 162113P

ENDS

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