Two rowers who left St. John's June 13 on a quest to row nonstop across the Atlantic had to be plucked from the ocean Friday by the Irish Coast Guard, according to newspapers in that country.

Joseph Gagnon, 20, and Brian Conville, 25, set off an emergency beacon after their boat capsized, the reports say.

The pair were about 265 kilometres — or 165 miles — off the coast of Ireland. They had originally planned to land on an island off the west coast of France, but changed their itinerary when they developed minor injuries from rowing.

Gagnon is a first-year science student from Quebec, while Conville is a house builder from Dublin.

Joseph Gagnon and Brian Conville were found lying on the hull of their overturned boat, according to reports from Irish newspapers and broadcasters. (Submitted by Claire Martin )

According to the Independent and the Belfast Telegraph, the pair were rescued off Mizen Head, the most southerly point in Ireland, and were taken to hospital in County Kerry for treatment.

Another report from Irish broadcaster RTE said the men were lying on the hull of their overturned boat, and had mild hypothermia but were in relatively good spirits.

The Irish coast guard is quoted as saying seas were high during the rescue, with swells of three metres.