Lucky escape for couple after four days adrift in a dinghy in shark infested Gulf of Mexico

James Matheson and his wife Joanna clung to the sides of their inflatable dinghy as they were tossed about by seas whipped up by Hurricane Dolly.

They were eventually rescued by the U.S. coastguard more than 20 miles from Key West, Florida, after being spotted by a passing fishing vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued James and Joanna Matheson, along with their friend Barry Calloway, after they drifted in the Gulf of Mexico for four days

The couple told rescuers their boat, called 'White Elephant', had sunk within ten minutes after taking on water.

U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Matthew Meinhold said the couple were in good physical shape considering their ordeal.

'They did not need medical assistance, but were very glad to see us,' said Meinhold.

'They are very lucky.'

Matheson, 32, his American wife Joanna, 38, and a friend Barry Calloway, 42, had set out from Hollywood, Florida, on Sunday.

They were attempting to sail to the popular tourist resort of Cancun, 500 miles away on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.

But as they neared Cuba their 40ft wooden boat ran into bad weather created by the hurricane, which later raced through the Gulf of Mexico and battered South Padre Island in Texas.

Matheson told Coast Guard officials the boat began taking on water, and within ten minutes had sunk.

The four bilge pumps on the vessel were unable to cope with the water pouring in through a crack in the hull.

Matheson told his rescuers they managed to grab food and water supplies before jumping into the dingy.

They did not have time to put out a mayday call for assistance.

The were spotted by a passing vessel after four days adrift in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Coast Guard cutter Hawk found the trio about 20 miles south of Key West.

All three declined medical treatment after being brought back to the U.S. Coast Guard station on the southernmost tip of the U.S.

'Considering what had happened they were in good spirits,' said Mr Meinhold.

'But they were sure glad to see land. They were a bit shaken by what had happened to them.'

He said there was no evidence of illegal activity and the three had been on a pleasure trip.

The Mathesons live in Weston, Florida, near Miami, while Calloway is from Hollywood near Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic coast.