'Real ordeal' for capsize rowers

The men were spending two hours rowing, two hours resting

The co-ordinator of a bid by four rowers to break an Atlantic crossing record says capsizing 650 miles off the US coast would have been an "ordeal".

The Scilly Boys' vessel capsized 13 days after leaving New York in a bid to break a record set over 100 years ago.

Tim Garratt, 27, Chris Jenkins, 43, Joby Newton, 19, and Wayne Davey, 30, are now on a container ship thought to be heading for Holland.

Simon Chalk said it would have been a frightening experience for them.

"It would have been a real ordeal," said Mr Chalk from Woodvale Challenge, who organised the record bid.

"At some point they would have had to open the hatches and allow the cabins to fill with freezing water and swim against that to get up the surface.

"You're not safe in a rescue situation until you're on board that rescue vessel."

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.

It will be lovely to see them again Chris Jenkins' mother Angie Jenkins

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

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

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.

'Terrific party'

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

Mr Jenkins' mother Angie Jenkins said she had been told the boat which picked them up is heading for Amsterdam and is due to arrive there sometime next week.

On their return to Scilly she said there would be a "terrific party".

"I feel sorry for them after the work they've put in but it will be lovely to see them again. "

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

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