Rowers rescued as boat capsizes

The men were spending two hours rowing, two hours resting

Four rowers from the West Country who set off on a bid to break an Atlantic crossing record set more than 100 years ago have had to be rescued.

Their vessel capsized 650 miles from the coast of America just 13 days after setting off from New York.

Coastguards said Tim Garratt, 27, Chris Jenkins, 43, and Joby Newton, 19, from Scilly, and Wayne Davey, 30, from Cornwall, are now on a container ship.

It is believed that some of them may be suffering from mild hypothermia.

The rowers, who called their challenge Scilly Boys Row 4 Home, were aiming to beat the record for a four-person crew of 55 days and 13 hours from New York to Bishop Rock.

Their challenge had captured the imagination of the world Euan Rodger

At 0100 BST Falmouth Coastguards were alerted that the 29ft (9m) vessel had capsized in high winds and poor visibility.

The US Coast Guard coordinated the search and a merchant vessel Gulf Grace helped out while a search aircraft combed the area.

"The crew have now been located by the aircraft and have been taken aboard the Gulf Grace - we understand all four are relatively safe and well - suffering slight hypothermia," said James Instance, Falmouth Coastguard.

Mr Davey and Mr Jenkins are crew on the lifeboats on Scilly and at Penlee and the divisional inspector for the RNLI, Simon Price, said he was proud of what they have achieved.

"They're in the tradition of seafarers in the UK going back hundreds of years and it's a great shame it's come to an end in this way," he said.

"But we're pleased the training we gave them has paid off and they've come through this ordeal safe and sound."

Euan Rodger, a spokesman for the rowers, said the men could expect a "rousing" welcome on Scilly.

'Huge welcome'

"It's very sad but we are relieved they are safe and well," he said.

"Their challenge had captured the imagination of the world and it's sad indeed it come to this early end.

"We look forward to giving the four guys a huge rousing welcome back in the Isles of Scilly nonetheless."

Only six crossings have been made west to east over the past 100 years.

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