James Ketchell and Ashley Wilson, British rowers hoping to break the world record for a two-person Indian Ocean crossing, were rescued six days into their second attempt. The men were also rescued on May 20, one day into their first trip.
Ketchell requested a rescue the morning of July 8, about 145 miles from their start in Geraldton, Australia, from the pair’s communications team. Wilson had possibly suffered a concussion as the small boat rolled in gale-force winds and 20-foot waves. A passing tanker pulled both men from the boat before an Australian rescue team arrived. Ketchell and Wilson have been declared healthy and will determine their next steps in the following days.
The men were also when their navigation system failed. They had expected to return to the water within a week, but additional boat repairs pushed their departure back by two months.
More important than the record attempt, Ketchell and Wilson are rowing to for epilepsy charities. Wilson is epileptic and has one or two seizures every week.