16 rescued as rowers sunk by raging sea
SIXTEEN rowers in three vessels were rescued after galeforce winds and raging seas scuppered their bid to circumnavigate Britain.
The first craft from GB Row Challenge, which set out two weeks ago, was towed to safety after it lost touch with its shore contact, 42.5 miles off Pembrokeshire. It was found by a ferry and taken to Milford Haven.
The second called for help after running into difficulty 18 miles off Larne, Co Antrim. The rowers boarded a lifeboat.
The third was towed to shore after capsizing, then righting itself, 23 miles off Ardglass, Co Down.
Alex Smith, of HM Coastguard, said that even though the rowers were well prepared “they still got caught out”.