Tanker Rescues Stranded Belgian Rower Competing In World’s Toughest Row In Atlantic Ocean

A Belgian solo rower competing in the World’s Toughest Row was rescued in the Atlantic Ocean after his boat capsized in rough seas, prompting a tanker to divert its course for more than 12 hours.

The rower, 47-year-old Benoit Bourguet, was racing alone in the 3,000-mile World’s Toughest Row, from San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain, to Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua.

His single-man vessel, City of Liverpool, was struck by two rogue waves in 13 to 15-foot seas, forcing him to deploy a life raft and remain adrift while keeping his capsized boat attached.

The US Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center received an unregistered 406 MHz EPIRB distress signal from Bourguet’s boat at around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, about 1,100 nautical miles east of Puerto Rico.

A second alert from his personal locator beacon followed. Race officials confirmed that multiple attempts to contact him had failed.

In response, the Coast Guard issued an Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) call and alerted nearby ships, including race participants. Calls from the rowing vessel Old Sea Dogs also went unanswered.

The Horten, a 1,092-foot Liberian-flagged tanker managed by Zodiac Maritime, received the AMVER alert and diverted 110 nautical miles, taking over 12 hours to reach Bourguet.

The Coast Guard stayed in contact, providing updates on the life raft’s location.

Once on site, the tanker crew located Bourguet in his life raft and rescued him using a life ring despite heavy seas. He was dehydrated but otherwise in good health and had been adrift for nearly 24 hours.

No other competitors in the race were reported in distress. Plans are underway to transfer Bourguet from the tanker in coordination with race organisers.

Reference: USCG

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