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Pacific rower 'will not quit'

Andrew Halsey has rowed 2,950 miles (2,572 nautical miles) since 15 July - but because of bad weather is almost no nearer Australia than when he set off from California.

The 41-year-old epileptic from Camden, north London, sparked a sea search when his emergency beacon went off accidentally this weekend when he capsized.

But he turned down the chance to return to Britain on Sunday after a Norwegian ship was sent to help him.

Unfavourable conditions have prompted experts to advise him to return to port, but he was determined to carry on in his attempt to become the first disabled person to row the Pacific.

Kenneth Crutchlow, director of the Ocean Rowing Society, said that they were no longer trying to persuade him to give up.

"He's shown his determination. We accept that it is his decision," he said.

Mr Halsey set out in his 28ft rowboat Brittany Rose from San Diego. It is 7,503 miles between San Diego and Sydney, Australia but he has made no progress since August 19 and is still 7,342 miles from his destination.

'One questions his sanity'

In 1997, father-of-one Mr Halsey was the first disabled person to row across the Atlantic despite suffering two epileptic fits during the voyage.

Former Acting British High Commissioner, Michael Growcott, met Mr Halsey in St Lucia at the end of his journey across the Atlantic.

Mr Growcott said: "Andrew is possessed of an indomitable determination to achieve his goals. He is doing something few would dare to try.

"Although one might question his sanity, he knows exactly what he is risking and displays rare courage in facing up to those risks.

"He was very keen to show that epilepsy sufferers could lead 'normal' lives, though his feat was anything but normal."

Five British rowers and a Russian have disappeared, presumed dead, on similar rowing challenges since 1966.

The last death was of British rower Peter Bird, 49, who was lost at sea on his fourth attempt to row single-handedly across the Pacific in 1996.

Relevant Stories

False alarm not my fault - rower (03 Oct 99 | Americas)
Rower's distress was false alarm (02 Oct 99 | Americas)
Rower in 'last big adventure' (07 Apr 99 | UK)

Internet Links

National Society for Epilepsy
Ocean Rowing Society

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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