A Kent rower who was involved in a dramatic ocean rescue has been reunited with the man who saved him.

Fraser Hart was part of a team taking part in the 2,400 mile New Ocean Wave Great Pacific Race last year.

The event, which took place in June, involves teams battling it out to be the first to travel from Monterey in Californa to Honolulu in Hawaii.

The challenge usually takes participants between 30 and 90 days, but Mr Hart's journey was cut short when the boat his team was travelling in began taking on water on the second day.

Mr Hart, 35, worked with his friends to try and seal the holes, but ran out of putty.

A support boat from the Great Pacific Race was first sent to rescue the men but was unable to do so due to dangerous weather conditions and 20-foot waves.

The crew eventually had to be evacuated by a United States Coast Guard helicopter after the entire bottom of the vessel was submerged in water.

At a ceremony held in London this week Christopher Leon, of the United States Coast Guard, received an award for 'Exceptional Bravery at Sea' for his part in the dramatic rescue.

Mr Leon had been lowered to assist the team and was aided by hoists performed by the helicopter crew in conditions compounded by darkness, lack of visual cues and horizon and breaking waves.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Leon said he was pleased to meet the rescuees for the first time since the fateful night, and in entirely different circumstances.

He said he was honoured and humbled to be receiving the award and thanked his fellow crew members.

When fuel levels on the helicopter became dangerously low and it had to leave the scene to refuel, Mr Leon remained with the fourth rower, Mr Hart.

They stayed huddled in the tiny bow portion of the swamped vessel that remained above water and protected each other from the breaking waves and freezing temperatures.

Finally, the helicopter was able to return through the stormy night and hoist them to safety.

"After the ceremony ended we took the crew out for a couple of beers, it was nice to have the whole situation come together and thank Chris" - Fraser Hart

The crew had been preparing for the race for 18 months but said the incident did not dishearten them and they are hoping to take part in the 2016 event.

Mr Hart, previously of Holden Park, Southborough, said: "It was really good to see Chris. After the ceremony ended we took the crew out for a couple of beers, it was nice to have the whole situation come together and thank Chris.

"It was the first time I'd seen him since the rescue, so it was great to catch up. We even told Chris we are hoping to take part next year, he was very supportive and we hope to meet again, but not under the same circumstances hopefully."

The other members of the team were Sam Collins, 24, from Cornwall, James White, 35, from London and Colin Parker, 35, from Auckland, New Zealand.