This was the first time the RAF has dispatched a Poseidon P8 aircraft to be used for UK search and rescue.
The aircraft was scrambled to the position and supported efforts by providing an overview of the rescue and a communications link from the scene back to the UK.
The boat of the two crew members, from the Faroe Islands, had capsized nearly 800 nautical miles off the British coast in Cornwall, with the 406 beacon signal sent to the JRCC at about 06:10 UKT on Thursday.
They boarded their life raft and were eventually saved by the merchant ship, which had been diverted to the origin of a radio distress beacon in the Atlantic Ocean.
‘World-leading capability of the Poseidon’
JRCC Commander Rob Priestley said: “We are very grateful to the merchant vessel that stopped its busy schedule to rescue these survivors in very challenging weather conditions, and thankful to our friends at the RAF who provided such good support for this incident.”
Wing Commander Adam Smolak, commanding the RAF’s 201 Squadron, said: “We were delighted to support the Coastguard in this search and rescue operation.
“This operation showcases the world-leading capability of the Poseidon aircraft and, coupled with the highly skilled crews, we were able to bring to bear the capability at short notice and help rescue the rowers.”
View video and read more here: https://www.forces.net/technology/aircraft/rafs-poseidon-helps-rescue-rowers-stranded-atlantic-ocean