British explorer rescued in Pacific Ocean

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TOKYO, June 8 (UPI) -- Solo British adventurer Sarah Outen was rescued Friday from her damaged 23-foot boat in the Pacific Ocean by the Japanese coast guard, officials said.

Outen, 27, was pulled onto a coast guard vessel about 575 miles out to sea off Japan after Tropical Storm Mawar damaged her boat, Gulliver, The Guardian reported.

Meanwhile, the Japanese coast guard sent rescuers to pick up another British rower, Charlie Martell, also on a Pacific solo rowing attempt in a similar-sized boat, about 280 miles north of Outen. Rescuers were expected to reach Martell Saturday morning.

Outen and Martell, 41, called for help Thursday as the tropical storm hit their boats, overturning them and damaging them.

Waves were still more than 32 feet high and winds of 30-40 knots had begun to subside when Outen was rescued.

Outen was attempting to row, kayak and cycle her way around the world. She began her journey in London on April 1, 2011, and her team said she had completed more than 11,000 miles of the 20,000-mile journey.

Martell, who was attempting to row from Japan to San Francisco in his boat, Blossom, hit waves as high as nearly 50 feet and winds of up to 50 knots. He was reported to be uninjured but facing high seas.