The rowers, a Dutch and British national, were participating in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge from the Canary Islands to Barbados when their boat capsized.
They immediately activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon alerting rescue authorities at MRCC Falmouth, United Kingdom. Rescue authorities in Falmouth also requested Amver information from the United States Coast Guard. Using an Amver surface picture, the cruise ship Crystal Serenity was located 120 miles away from the rowers and asked to divert to rescue them. The cruise ship immediately changed course to assist the rowers. The rescue was complicated by winds in excess of 25 knots and 10 foot waves.
According to crew members aboard the Crystal Serenity the survivors are in good health and will stay aboard the cruise ship until it reaches St. Maarten.
The Bahamian flagged cruise ship enrolled in the Amver system in 2003 and earned over 6 awards for participation.
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Photo credit: Wikipedia
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