Giant cruise liner helps rescue solo rower in Atlantic ocean

  • Cunard
The rower is attempting to cross the North Atlantic. Credit: Cunard/PA

Giant Cunard liner Queen Mary 2 (QM2) has helped rescue a solo rower in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.

The vessel has assisted Canadian Mylene Paquette who is attempting to become the first North American to row solo across the North Atlantic.

Having been affected by the remnants of Atlantic Storm Humberto, Paquette requested help which was supplied by the QM2 in a rendezvous in the mid-Atlantic today.

The liner, on a seven-night crossing to Southampton, supplied the rower with a new satellite phone and two drogue anchors - sea anchors which hold the boat's position when it is not being rowed.

The QM2 has also supplied her with various provisions including English tea and pastries.

Around 2,000 passengers were on board at the time. Credit: PA

Captain Kevin Oprey, master of QM2, said: "We are happy to have given assistance to Mylene and help her recover from the damage inflicted by the storm. We wish her the very best of luck with her solo Atlantic rowing adventure."

Paquette said: "This is a dream come true. For me to see the QM2 in the middle of the Atlantic is something I would have never hoped for. I want to thank all of the members of the crew for making this encounter happen."

The rower is 83 days into her adventure and still has about two months to go.