Fears are growing for a disabled British rower who is in danger of running out of food and power as he attempts a solo voyage from the United States to Australia.

Andrew Halsey has been caught in exceptionally bad weather since he set off from San Diego in July, and despite having travelled over 6,000 miles, he has only made 2,000 miles' progress.

Within weeks his satellite beacon will stop working, leaving him lost in the ocean.

Mr Halsey's support team made a desperate appeal for help to mount an emergency operation to replenish his supplies.

Kenneth Crutchlow, executive director of the Ocean Rowing Society, told a news conference that Mr Halsey would never give up.

He said: "If Andrew became untraceable, he would be prepared to die. I think he is prepared to row into the sunset."

Mr Crutchlow added that unemployed Mr Halsey lived in a flat in Bloomsbury, central London, with just one knife and fork and no bed.

He added: "He has nothing to come back for."

Mr Halsey set off in a 28ft glass fibre rowing boat called The Brittany Rose, named after his 15-year-old teenage daughter.

The closest coastline to his present position is Mexico, which is 1,600 miles away. He has no chance of getting there before all his food supplies have been exhausted.

The 41-year-old epileptic from Camden, north London, has sparked three sea searches during his voyage after his emergency beacon went off accidentally following capsizes.

But he has turned down the chance to return to Britain after ships were sent to help him.

Experts have advised him to return to port, but he is determined to carry on in his attempt to become the first disabled person to row the Pacific.

His family said in a statement today: "We would like to clarify that whilst we are naturally concerned for Andrew's safety, we have confidence that with his experience and determination he will endeavour to complete his ambition.

"Andrew has encountered some of the worst weather conditions on record but has reassured his mother on several occasions that he would end his journey, should he consider his life to be in danger."

In 1997 Mr Halsey was the first disabled person to row across the Atlantic despite suffering two epileptic fits during the voyage.

Five British rowers and a Russian have disappeared, presumed dead, on similar rowing challenges since 1966.

The last death was of British rower Peter Bird, 49, who was lost at sea on his fourth attempt to row single-handedly across the Pacific in 1996.