The body of a 75-year-old Frenchman who was attempting to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean has been found at sea.

Jean-Jacques Savin was “found lifeless inside the cabin” off the coast of Azores, an archipelago belonging to Portugal, said a statement posted to Mr Savin’s Facebook page by his support team. Read here:

“It is with great sadness that we have just learned of the death of our friend Jean-Jacques,” it read.

Portuguese maritime (Picture Credit) authorities had earlier located his vessel and a diver found Mr Savin’s body.

“Unfortunately, this time the ocean was stronger than our friend, who loved sailing and the sea so much,” the statement said.

Mr Savin had embarked from Portugal’s mainland on January 1 and celebrated his 75th birthday on January 14 at sea.

But his team had been unable to contact him since he sent distress signals on Thursday night and Friday local time.

The statement did not provide any further details, adding only that “our thoughts are with his daughter”.