Amver ship saves four Atlantic rowers

Four Atlantic rowers were plucked from their disabled rowboat by the Amver participating bulker Hedvig Bulker 1,356 miles west of Puerto Rico on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

The foursome was part of team Atlantic Forces, rowing from San  Sebastian de la Gomera, Tenerife on December 2, 2013 when they developed rudder issues 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 stricken rowers. Once on scene the master of the 574 foot ship reported "... harsh sea conditions are preventing us from getting alongside the row boat...", but was able to come alongside the rowboat and safely embark 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.

Photo credit: marinetraffic.com