Transtasman rower sends distress signal

Trans-Tasman rower Shaun Quincey was knocked about violently last night as his boat flipped over at least twice, sparking fears some vital equipment could be lost or damaged.

The 25-year-old New Zealander is more than halfway through the first solo attempt to cross the Tasman west to east, after setting off from New South Wales on January 20.

Quincey sent out a distress signal last night after the Tasman Trespasser II flipped nearly 1000km from land, shore crewman Michael Buck said.

"He sounded pretty beat-up and a little bit scared," he told Radio Live.

Although the situation remained serious, Quincey this morning assured shore crew he was doing well, both physically and mentally.

He was never in danger of becoming separated from his boat, as he was tethered to a harness system at all times, Mr Buck said.

However, Quincey last night feared his boat's water ballast, oars and other equipment may have been lost or damaged.

He still had his oars he learned this morning, but he had not yet checked his other equipment.

"He's going to take his time so that he can get all the information he needs to make a decision," Mr Buck said.

Quincey had been in contact with the New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre to discuss options if a rescue became necessary.

"There's a tanker ship under 10 hours from him right now, so that's the most immediate option," Mr Buck said.

However, Quincey would not yet rule out continuing his attempt.

"He really wants to finish, and if it's possible he will."

The incident comes within a week of his desalination machine breaking down, leaving him with only 2.5 litres of fresh water a day for the remainder of his journey.

Quincey had set out to beat his father's 1977 east-west record of 63 days and seven hours, and planned to finish his 2450km journey in Taranaki.

- NZPA