French rower scuttles third attempt to cross Atlantic

"Trying to pinpoint his location in the fog was challenging," said Lieutenant Commander Brian Hopkins, the helicopter pilot from Air Station Cape Cod. "Visibility was only about a quarter of a mile. We overflew him twice."

While Girard waved at the helicopter, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer jumped in the 49-degree water while a basket was lowered into 7-foot seas. Girard, wearing a survival suit, was hoisted 40 feet into the aircraft, where he communicated briefly with the crew through handwritten notes. Mostly, however, Girard remained silent while the Jayhawk helicopter made an hour-long return flight to Cape Cod.

"He seemed in good health," Hopkins said. "The only thing he told us was that he had been out there for 10 days."

Although this wasn't the first time Girard had abandoned his goal of breaking the 62-day record set in 2004, it was the most expensive. In 2007, Girard rowed only three hours from Orleans before he noticed that several gallons of water had leaked into his boat. His trip ended ignominiously when he was towed to shore by the harbormaster.

Two days later, he left again and traveled 50 miles over two days before being rescued by the Coast Guard.

Today, when asked by reporters whether he would try once more, Girard slapped a big, emphatic "finis" on his dreams of ocean-spanning glory.

Girard had the misfortune -- or possibly good fortune, if worse weather lay ahead -- to run into a tropical depression after his May 19 departure from Orleans. On a website that chronicled his ill-fated journey, a map of his day-by-day position showed that Girard had begun traveling in a strength-sapping circle.

But still, as recently as Tuesday, Girard seemed to be making good, contented progress in a voyage dubbed Atlantique 2009. "He is well," the website reported that day. "He becomes used more and more to the life on Caliste. He sleeps better now. A bird accompanied some hours on Saturday. He saw two boats."

The site appealed for donations to help Girard "beat the record of the world of the crossing by rows the North Atlantic ocean." By making a contribution, the appeal continued, "you will allow Charlie to close the budget (purchase of the last equipments, the expenses of logistics) and you will participate in an exceptional adventure."

That exceptional adventure is no more, and Girard will not be billed for the $80,000 expense, which includes six hours of total air time for the jet and helicopter, and the cost of support crews. Petty Officer Etta Smith, a Coast Guard spokeswoman in Boston, said policy is to use taxpayer money to pay for rescues.

Smith declined to comment on the wisdom of Girard's effort, but acknowledged the risk for the rescued and the rescuers.

"Anytime any of our crews go out on a rescue, there will be lives at risk." Smith said. "And honestly, anytime anyone goes out to sea, there will be risk involved."

( Vincent DeWitt for The Boston Globe/file 2007)