15January, 2009

OCEAN ROWERS HAVE TO ABORT RECORD ATTEMPT

Falmouth Maritime and Rescue Coordination Centre are currently coordinating the search and rescue of ‘La Mondiale’ the British ocean rowboat and its 14 crew.

‘La Mondiale’ is attempting to break the current record by rowing from Gran Canaria to Barbados, with the overall intention of raising £1 million for charitable causes.

The Coastguard received a call this morning at 10.21am informing them that the rowboat had lost its rudder after hitting a submerged object 280 miles North West of Cape Verde, a temporary rudder had been rigged up but had now failed them.

Martin Bidmead, Watch Manager, Falmouth Maritime and Rescue Coordiantion Centre, said:

“We have been able to talk to the crew which consists of several nationalities: British, Scottish, Irish, Canadian and Faroese. They are all safe and well, they are not in a situation of distress only the boat is disabled. But the weather conditions on scene for the next few days will not allow them to make the repairs to the rudder. A Bulk Carrier ‘Island Ranger’ on passage from Brazil to Italy is currently making its way to the rowboat and is expected on scene at 8:00pm to offer assistance.”

 Ocean Row Events (ORE) is a company set up to try to raise £1 million for charitable causes over the next five years. ORE acquired the record breaking French boat ‘La Mondiale’ from the ever-supportive Ocean Rowing Society. For further information visit: www.oceanrowevents.com

For further information please contact

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on:

(023) 8032 9401

Press releases and further information about the Agency is available on the Web at www.mcga.gov.uk