Shaun Quincey

Auckland, March 14 NZPA - About 100 members of the public along with news media have gathered on Northland's 90 Mile Beach to welcome back trans-Tasman rower Shaun Quincey.

The Auckland rower was spotted on the horizon about 11.15am today by well-wishers, 53 days after setting off in his 7.3m boat Tasman Trespasser from New South Wales on January 20.

Quincey, 25, was expected to reach shore about midday.

He is set to become the second person to row the 2200km journey solo, following in the footsteps of his father Colin, who completed the journey in the reverse direction in 63 days in 1977.

Ground crew members said Quincey might swim ashore given concerns about whether conditions would allow him to safely land his boat on the sand.

Quincey had rolled at least twice, broken two oars and come close to running out of fresh water during the journey.