One rower was rescued in the Atlantic Ocean east of Puerto Rico after his boat capsized during the world’s toughest race, a 3,000-mile rowing race from San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain, to Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua.
Benoit Bourguet, 47, a Belgian national, was rescued by coastguards from the Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center and the crew of the Liberia-flagged tanker Horten on Wednesday night after his rowing boat, the City of Liverpool, was struck by “bad waves and capsized 13 to 15,” according to the US Coast Guard.
Bourguet was forced to put in and board his raft after encountering waves, the US Coast Guard said. He attached his raft to the overturned boat.
“Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center observers received an unregistered 406 MHz Emergency Positioning indicating Radio Beacon EPIRB from the City of Liverpool vessel at approximately 2 a.m. Wednesday, warning of a possible distress approximately 1,100 nautical miles east of Puerto Rico,” the Coast Guard said.
Bystanders then received a second distress signal from a personal beacon placement device in the same location as the boat. They then contacted the security coordinator for the World’s Toughest Row Race, who confirmed that they were unable to contact Bourguet after multiple messages went unanswered.
An Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) call was issued by observers “to contact the 1,092-meter Horten vessel and Enhanced Group Calling (EGC) to alert other nearby vessels to be aware of the distress.”
“They also contacted the Old Sea Dogs rowing boat, which was also participating in the race, which made VHF radio calls to Bourguet, however, these calls were also not answered,” continued the press release. “At that time, the ship Horten, which was sailing from Germany in Offshore Guyana, received AMVER’s communication and diverted for more than 12 hours passing about 110 kilometers to the location of the distress signal.”
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According to the US Coast Guard, the watchdog has lost contact with the crew of the Horten tanker.
“When it was close, the crew of Horten’s ship saw the life raft and confirmed the survivor,” said a press release. “Due to the difficult sea conditions, the Horten crew used a ring to safely locate the survivor, who was confirmed to be Bourguet.
The US Coast Guard said Bourguet was “dehydrated but otherwise in good health” and “reported to have been in distress for approximately 24 hours” while keeping his “wrecked vessel tied to a boat pending rescue.”
Benoit Bourguet was rescued after his boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean east of Puerto Rico.
United States Coast Guard
“We are very proud of the seamless cooperation between our rangers at the Sector San Juan Command Center and the brave team and tanker captain Horten, which led to the successful rescue of the sailor,” said Lt. Kenneth Snyder, Coast Guard field mission coordinator in San Juan on the case.
“Horten’s participation in the AMVER program was critical and the crew’s sacrifice and quick response embodies the spirit of this voluntary program, where sailors are ready to help each other,” he added.
No other vessels in the race were reported to be in trouble, the US Coast Guard confirmed.
World’s Toughest Row took to Facebook to announce that Bourguet is “now safe in a lifeboat.”
“On Tuesday 21 January, an emergency notification (EPIRB) was received on the solo rowing boat ‘City of Liverpool,’ competing under the team name Viva For Life. In accordance with established safety procedures, the notification was immediately transmitted to the relevant search and rescue authorities, which coordinated the response in collaboration with Atlantic Campaigns,” they wrote.
“Benoit’s support network has been notified, and we cannot share any additional details at this time,” they continued. “World’s Toughest Row would like to thank the search and rescue authorities and the participating vessel for their prompt and professional assistance.”
The person who ran Bourguet’s Facebook page while participating in the race shared an update on his account, writing, “Many of you are worried, rightfully so, but we’re happy to report that Ben is OK.”
“The organization disrupted the boat since 4am yesterday Wednesday, Ben was found safe and sound last night at 11pm UTC. None of us have been in direct contact with him so far. His relatives have been notified, and we are following the situation closely with them,” this person wrote on Bourguet’s account.
“So Ben will have a long story to tell when he comes back!
The person added that “it’s obvious that Benoit wanted to be able to finish this race” but the most important thing is “that he is safe and sound.”
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