This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35572377

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rowers rescued from Atlantic after boat capsizes Rowers rescued from Atlantic after boat capsizes
(35 minutes later)
Four British rowers trying to cross the Atlantic have been rescued after their boat capsized and they lost their oars.Four British rowers trying to cross the Atlantic have been rescued after their boat capsized and they lost their oars.
The crew sent a distress signal on Saturday morning, when they were 400 nautical miles from Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa.The crew sent a distress signal on Saturday morning, when they were 400 nautical miles from Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa.
They were rescued by a commercial vessel on its way to Canada about 16 hours after becoming stranded.They were rescued by a commercial vessel on its way to Canada about 16 hours after becoming stranded.
The UK coastguard, which had sent a mayday broadcast to shipping, said the women were "reported to be well".The UK coastguard, which had sent a mayday broadcast to shipping, said the women were "reported to be well".
The rowers, Gemma Chalk, Clare Lanyon, Jane McIntosh and Olivia Wilson, set off from Gran Canaria on 26 January, aiming to reach Barbados - nearly 3,000 miles away - within 45 days.The rowers, Gemma Chalk, Clare Lanyon, Jane McIntosh and Olivia Wilson, set off from Gran Canaria on 26 January, aiming to reach Barbados - nearly 3,000 miles away - within 45 days.
The coastguard said the rowers had capsized several times and lost equipment including the GPS and oars "leaving them with no way of navigating or manoeuvring".The coastguard said the rowers had capsized several times and lost equipment including the GPS and oars "leaving them with no way of navigating or manoeuvring".
"They were requested to activate their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon to assist the coastguard in tracking them," it added."They were requested to activate their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon to assist the coastguard in tracking them," it added.
The rowers' support crew member on land, Paul Williams, said they had also lost a device that would have allowed them to locate nearby shipping.
The "wise course of action" was to abandon the crossing attempt, he said.
'Quickly diverted''Quickly diverted'
The coastguard duty controller, Ian Guy, said: "The rowers were an extremely long way from land with no other vessels in the immediate vicinity. We received several responses to our mayday request, the nearest vessel being 90 nautical miles away.The coastguard duty controller, Ian Guy, said: "The rowers were an extremely long way from land with no other vessels in the immediate vicinity. We received several responses to our mayday request, the nearest vessel being 90 nautical miles away.
"They quickly diverted and set course to the stricken rowers. This shows you how important it is to be prepared for your voyage and have several means of contacting the coastguard or raising an alarm, even if you are not in UK waters.""They quickly diverted and set course to the stricken rowers. This shows you how important it is to be prepared for your voyage and have several means of contacting the coastguard or raising an alarm, even if you are not in UK waters."
Last month, four other British women became the youngest and fastest all-female crew of four to row across the Atlantic.Last month, four other British women became the youngest and fastest all-female crew of four to row across the Atlantic.
Gee Purdy, 23, Bella Collins, 23, Lauren Morton, 26, and Olivia Bolesworth, 27, completed the 3,000 nautical mile journey in 40 days.Gee Purdy, 23, Bella Collins, 23, Lauren Morton, 26, and Olivia Bolesworth, 27, completed the 3,000 nautical mile journey in 40 days.
They survived a hurricane, 50ft (15m) waves and intense bouts of sea sickness to win a place in the record books.They survived a hurricane, 50ft (15m) waves and intense bouts of sea sickness to win a place in the record books.