LONDON -- Six rowers whose boat capsized in the Atlantic Ocean while attempting to row from Morocco to Barbados were rescued on Monday.

Falmouth Coastguard said Tuesday that the rowers capsized 520 miles from Barbados and climbed onto a life raft tethered to their boat.  Coast guards from Britain and Martinique launched a rescue mission after the rowers contacted their support team by satellite phone.  The men were picked up by a cargo ship before the coast guards reached them.

Falmouth Coastguard said the cargo ship is now taking the rowers to Gibraltar.

"Earlier today the Sara G (boat) capsized," a statement on the rowers' website said on Monday.  "All crew are said to be safe and well, and tethered to the Sara G in a liferaft."

The men were taking part in the Atlantic Odyssey Challenge to row from Morocco to Barbados in less than 30 days. Their boat capsized 27 days into their journey.

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The Associated Press and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.