A WEST Coker man has helped in the rescue of two American female rowers who found themselves in trouble while taking part in the Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race.
Martyn Rowswell, 57, a thatcher by trade but an enthusiastic sailor, was with the crew of the British tall ship Stavros S Nicarchos when it was called into action on January 16 to come to the aid of rowers Sarah Kessans and Emily Kohl.
The ship was mid-Atlantic on her 25-day voyage to Barbados from Tenerife when she was contacted by the US Coastguard.
As the closest vessel to the emergency signal Captain Darren Naggs immediately offered to assist and the crew sprung into action to turn the ship around and head off.
The following morning Emily and Sarah were located and safely rescued by the crew - which included Martyn - of the Stavros. A US coastguard aircraft was in position and once Stavros arrived on the scene, the aircraft dropped a red flare so Captain Naggs could easily locate the girls' position.
Family and friends of Martyn only heard about how he had helped to rescue the two stranded rowers through a brief text message they received from him over the weekend.
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