A PEMBROKESHIRE sailor is back on dry land after attempting to row 2,600 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Ed Curtis, originally from Dinas Cross, and his team mate Nick Rees were taking on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge with the aim of raising £250,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The cause is close to their hearts after Nick’s wife and Ed’s lifelong friend, Ellen, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 33.

Nick said: “She is our inspiration for wanting to take on such a big challenge.”

Ed and Nick and 16 other teams set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on Wednesday, December 4 and hoped to arrive at English Harbour in Antigua within 90 days.

On Tuesday, December 17, their boat rolled and suffered damage. As a result they were picked up by a passing container ship, which was on its way to Gibraltar.

Writing in their blog, the pair said: “We are utterly indebted to the crew of the carrier, her Captain Norwaldo A. Raynes, and hugely generous crew, and to ‘K Line’ her owner.

“It was never going to be an easy exercise to rescue two people from a 24 foot boat up against a huge tanker. It required skill, but without doubt was the scariest experience of our lives."

Ed and Nick flew back to the UK from Gibraltar and were back home with their families in time for Christmas.

They said: “It was an emotional reunion, and it's difficult to adjust and reflect on what may have been. At least we have some time now to help us do that.

“Our thoughts are with our remaining rowers to stay safe. May conditions improve to give you all the best possible chance of getting across.”

The pair have raised close to £170,000 to date. To make a contribution visit www.justgiving.com/teams/BreakthroughAtlantic