The rower who broke the record for covering the least distance in the most time in a boat has been rescued after failing on his second attempt to row the Pacific Ocean single-handed.
Andrew Halsey is reported to have suffered four seizures
The Ocean Rowing Society said Andrew Halsey, 45, from north London, was picked up by a fishing ship on Thursday.
His 25ft (7.6m) ocean row boat Brittany Rose was cast adrift.
Mr Halsey was transferred to a United States Coast Guard vessel where his condition was being assessed.
The Essex-born former London brickie, who has epilepsy, had run out of food and supplies, his satellite
phone was cut off and he was left drifting dangerously off course in the shark infested waters of the Pacific.
Earlier in the journey, he had told Kenneth Crutchlow, executive director of the London-based Ocean Rowing Society: "Don't worry, I am going to keep going, I can sit out here for years."
Mr Halsey had told him that he did not want to be rescued since it could result in the loss of the Brittany Rose and it was his only asset.
Mr Crutchlow said at the time: "I am worried about him.
"I think he feels more comfortable out there than he is sitting at his flat in Russell Square because he does have a difficult life here."
You can't help but admire his tenacity and perseverance but he is just not making any progress
Ocean Rowing Society
Seventy-two days into his journey from Peru to Australia, and in the grip of contrary winds and currents, Mr Halsey was in exactly the same distance from Brisbane as when he set out on 25 November - 13,045 km (8,108 miles).
Mr Crutchlow said: "You can't help but admire his tenacity and perseverance but he is just not making any progress."
Mr Halsey had already suffered at least four epileptic seizures but maintained throughout the trip that his spirits were high and he had absolutely no intention of giving up the attempt.
"Perhaps I'll make it the longest row in history," he said.
The previous record for the least distance covered in the most time in a rowing boat was held by another Briton - Peter Bird.
In 1993, he travelled 18 kilometres in one month during his journey.
During Mr Halsey's last attempt at crossing the Pacific in 2000, he came close to starvation and had to be rescued.