English rowers rescued off WA coast

Two Englishmen attempting to break the world record for rowing across the Indian Ocean as a duo have been rescued for a second time.

Adventurer James Ketchell and friend Ashley Wilson were forced in May to abort their bid to row from Geraldton in Western Australia to Port Louis in Mauritius just one day into the journey after electronic guidance systems failed.

The pair set off again on Friday, but ran into bad weather about 175km west of Kalbarri, forcing them to activate their emergency personal location beacon about 8am WST on Wednesday.

About 1.20pm WST, a merchant vessel reached the pair.

They are undergoing a medical assessment on the ship, where an ambulance helicopter may be required to land if either of the men need assistance.

Geraldton Sea Rescue vice commander Ian Beard told AAP that Mr Wilson, who has severe epilepsy, had hit his head in rough seas and was in a bad way.

The rowers also lost equipment when the boat rolled several times, a spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

The two men had spent three years planning the 5800km trip and hoped to beat the existing record of 85 days, two hours and five minutes.

Their journey was timed to miss WA's summer cyclone season and the route chosen to avoid the more treacherous winter weather in the southern Indian Ocean.

The pair aimed to raise $200,000 for the charities Young Epilepsy, Scouts, and the Elifar Foundation, which helps people with severe learning difficulties and associated physical disabilities.