Kiwi charity rowing crew reported missing 

Source: NZPARowers Tom Wigram (L) Peter Staples, Billy Gammon and Matt Hampel

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Radio Sport's Rowing For Prostate crew has been reported missing in the Indian Ocean.

The four man crew, all British born but now living in New Zealand, are part of the Indian Ocean Rowing Race.

The crew are Tom Wigram, Pete Staples, Billy Gammon and Matthew Hampel.

Organisers say the boat's GPS system stopped working some time ago and the crew's satellite phone packed up as well on Friday.

The crew had been reporting daily throughout their 71 days at seas so far but the last confirmed position was received on Saturday June 27.

Spokesman Alan Gwyer says the race's support vessel is on its way to the crew's last known position.

But he says it will take another two or two and a half days just to get to that point.

Gwyer says the fact the crew's emergency beacon has not been set off gives them hope that it is just a communication problem.

Two crews have completed the event but Rowing for Prostate's last known position still has them needing to complete 553 nautical miles.

The inaugural charity event was expected to take approximately 70 days and see the crews cover a distance of 5,742 kms from Geraldton, Western Australia to Mauritius.

Click here for the Rowing for Prostate progress page