Atlantic Air Force Rowers Rescued by Amver Ship

The crew of four British Royal Air Force personnel (2 men and 2 women) from 216 Squadron and 47 Squadron based at Royal Air Force Brize Norton, competing in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, have been rescued by the AMVER particating ship MV Hedvik Bulker.

The four were rowing from San  Sebastian de la Gomera, Tenerife when when they developed rudder problems and alerted rescue authorities in Falmouth, UK who in turn notified U.S. Coast Guard rescue personnel in Sector San Juan.

Personnel at the Sector San Juan command center immediately queried the Amver system and requested the Panamanian flagged bulk carrier Hedvik Bulker to divert and assist the rowers. Once on scene the master of the 574 foot ship reported "... harsh sea conditions are preventing us from getting alongside the row boat...," however he was able to come alongside eventually and safely embarked the four survivors. Wave swells were reported to be greater than three meters.

The survivors are in good health and will stay aboard the Hedvik Bulker until it reaches its next port call in Beaumont, Texas. The Hedvik Bulker, managed by J. Lauritzen of Copenhagen, Denmark, enrolled in the Amver system on March 11, 2011.

Source: Amver