Bermudian Shelley Pearson and her Oxford University crewmates survived a scare yesterday in their preparation for next week’s BNY Mellon Boat Races when they were overcome by waves while at practice and had to be rescued.

The recovery action was performed by a passing lifeboat on the Thames that happened to spot the nine women, including the coxswain who sits at the rear of the boat — effectively as a non-rowing captain.

Oxford are favourites to win the Newton Women’s Boat Race that will precede the blue-riband men’s event on April 11, but the mishap was hardly ideal preparation and may provide a boost to the Light Blue crew of Cambridge University.

The lifeboat, which was supplied by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Chiswick, returned the stricken rowers to Putney, in southwest London.

“Strong wind against tide had created the unsafe waters and three successive waves poured over the boats’ riggers, creating an influx of water that could not be managed by the craft’s bilge pump,” the RNLI said in a statement.

“The Oxford crew and their cox were boarded on to the Chiswick lifeboat and returned to Putney. The sunken eight was then recovered by three coaches’ launches and safely returned to Oxford’s base ahead of the race next week.”

Ian Owen, an almost awestruck helmsman for the RNLI, added: “While we have rescued quite a number of rowers over the years, this is the first time I’ve been involved in helping such a prestigious team.

“The weather can be unpredictable on the Thames, and the Oxford University team dealt with the situation as safely and calmly as possible. We wish them all the best for their upcoming race.”

Sinkings are an occupational hazard for Boat Race crews in the tidal waters of the Thames. In 1912, both men’s crews sank during the race. Cambridge also sank in 1859, 1978 and 1984, while Oxford sank in 1925 and 1951.

Pearson, the daughter of 1983 Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby winner Kevin Pearson, will be the first Bermudian to take part in the world-famous Boat Races.

This year’s event carries added significance in that the women will race over the same course as the men for the first time and on the same day.