Capsized rowers travelling home

The rowers were rescued by the oil tanker Gulf Grace

A four-strong team of rowers whose boat capsized during their transatlantic record attempt are a step closer to returning home.

The container ship, which rescued the crew - known as The Scilly Boys - from a life raft they had been clinging to, has arrived in Gibraltar.

The four Scillonians had been trying to beat the 100-year-old record for rowing from New York to Bishop's Rock.

Their vessel overturned 13 days into the voyage in 40 ft (12m) high seas.

A support team went out to meet the rowers in Gibraltar and they are expected to fly back to Britain on Monday.

The desire to complete the crossing was the same desire that gave us the drive to survive The Scilly Boys

Tim Garratt, 27, Chris Jenkins, 43, Joby Newton, 19, and Wayne Davey, 30, were 650 miles (1046km) off the US coast when they hit trouble.

The crew spent hours clinging to a life raft before they were picked up by the oil tanker Gulf Grace.

The team thanked all those who had rescued them via their website and said: "We are sorry to friends and family that the anxiety caused was not outweighed by the successful completion of our record attempt.

"The desire to complete the crossing for the Islands was the same desire that gave us the drive to survive in those conditions throughout the night.

"The messages of support were a constant reminder of why we needed to survive our ordeal, and make it back home to our families."

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.

Mr Jenkins' mother Angie said they would hold a "terrific party" when the crew returned to Scilly.

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

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

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version