A SALTASH mother-of-two was among four transAtlantic rowers who were rescued yesterday (Saturday, February 13) after their small boat capsized, Coastguards have said.

Clare Lanyon, 45, from Saltash, was rowing from Gran Canaria to Barbados with crewmates Gemma Chalk, Jane McIntosh and Olivia Wilson when their boat Fire Ant, a specialist ocean rowing vessel, capsized 400 miles off Cape Verde.

They lost their oars and much of their equipment, including navigation equipment.

They were able to make an SOS call to UK Coastguards, who diverted a cargo ship on its way to Canada to pick up the women. They were stranded for 11 hours but all are said to be well despite their ordeal.

The quartet were put together by Oceanus Rowing to make an attempt on the record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic by an all-female crew.

They were also raising money for Dr Barnardo’s and the Forces Children’s Trust.

Clare, a receptionist, is passionate about rowing, including Cornish gigs. She has two teenaged children.