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Rowing world record attempt fails again: Australian authorities

Xinhua, July 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Two Englishmen are being rescued off Australia's western coastline for a second time after a new attempt to break the world record for rowing across the Indian Ocean, Australian authorities said on Wednesday.

James Ketchell and friend Ashley Wilson were forced in May to abort their bid to row from Western Australia to Mauritius just one day into the journey after their electronic guidance systems failed.

Local media reported the pair set off again on Friday, but have run into bad weather approximately 175 kilometers west of Kalbarri, forcing them to activate their emergency personal location beacon.

The two men spent three years planning the 5,800-kilometer trip, aiming to the existing record of 85 days, two hours and five minutes.

It is understood Wilson, who has severe epilepsy, had hit his head in rough seas and is in an unhealthy state.

The rowers also lost equipment when the boat rolled a number of times, a spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

A merchant vessel is expected to reach the pair about 11:30 a.m. local time. Endi