The Maritime and Coastguard Agency says the rowers sent a distress signal early yesterday, when they were 400 nautical miles from Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa.
The crew of four had to abandon their charity attempt to break the women's speed record for rowing almost 4,828 kilometers across the Atlantic between Gran Canaria in Spain and Barbados.
The women were rescued early today by a bulk carrier on its way to Canada and are reported to be well.