Falmouth coastguard have helped coordinate the rescue of three men, one of them from Falmouth, during a rowing race halfway across the world in the Pacific.

Cornishman Sam Collins, 24, Fraser Hart 33, from Tunbridge Wells, James White, 35, from London and Colin Parker, 35, from New Zealand were taking part in the Great Pacific Race They had set off from California last Wednesday to row 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii, but yesterday their boat began to sink.

Falmouth coastguards were involved in co-ordinating the rescue 100 miles off the US coast.

The boat began taking on water as it took part in the 3,862-km race from Monterey to Honolulu and it was decided that it was becoming so dangerous the boat had to be evacuated.

A support boat was sent but it was deemed to dangerous to attempt a rescue and the four men were winched to safety by a helicopter from the US Coastguard and taken to an American ship.

The race is described by organisers by "the biggest, baddest human endurance challenge on the planet".

Race director Chris Martin said: "We are happy to report that Fraser Hart (skipper), Samuel Collins, James Wight and Colin Parker are all safe and well and have no reported medical problems."