Ciaran Lewis, 34, y Gearoid Towey, 28 (izq) rescatados por un buque tanque de 98.000 toneladas.
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Two rowers trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean have been rescued by a tanker. The pair, who are both from Ireland, were taking part in the Atlantic rowing race and they were rescued after spending six hours in a life-raft.
This report by James Helm.
The men were rescued more than two thousand kilometres southeast of the island of Bermuda from a life-raft which was floating beside their upturned boat. They were saved by the crew on board a huge Spanish tanker, who answered their distress call and hauled the men on board in heavy seas and high winds.
Gearoid Towey and Ciaran Lewis, both from Ireland, had begun the race in the Canary Islands at the end of November and were heading for the Caribbean island of Antigua. But in a storm they lost the use of the rudder on their small rowing boat and it quickly capsized. US coastguards picked up an emergency beacon signal and ships in the area were alerted.
Mr Towey said he thought he was certain to drown but he managed to swim to find his friend. They then settled down for a long wait in the middle of the ocean.
The Spanish vessel, the Hispania Spirit, diverted to help and the crew saw a red flare. The two rowers then clambered safely on board, uninjured. They said they were disappointed their race was over, but were simply happy to be alive. And family members back in Ireland expressed their delight. The ship carrying them is due to reach Spain at the weekend
life-raft
bote salvavidas
upturned
se dio vuelta
tanker
buque cisterna o buque tanque
distress call
S.O.S., llamada de auxilio
heavy seas
mar fuerte
high winds
viento fuerte
rudder
el timón
rowing boat
barco de remo
emergency beacon signal
Radiofaro localizador de emergencia
to reach Spain
llegará a España
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