Six years ago, the 73-year-old completed the first leg of his solo circumnavigation of the world in his specially designed rowing boat Akros, from Dunedin to Cape Horn, Chile.
Last December he began his second leg from Ushuaia, Argentina, bypassing South Africa and headed all the way to Western Australia.
However, severe storms and waves up to 12m high caused his boat to capsize multiple times last month, resulting in major damage.
He has been able to limp on for several weeks, and was nearly halfway between South Africa and Western Australia.
But after assessing all the damage and equipment malfunctions, his team advised him to abandon the unprecedented ocean crossing.
Earlier this week, he was rescued by the Ore Hong Kong cargo ship under the flag of Hong Kong, which is travelling from Brazil to China.
His son and support team leader Oscar Konyukhov said the boat’s critical control and life support systems had failed.
"Yesterday, Fedor confirmed the autopilot control unit has stopped working.
"The wind indicators were also damaged as a result of the boat’s multiple capsizes.
"There were four wind indicators on board. All of them are out of order.
"The main desalination plant [for drinking water] has failed.
"Fedor is currently using a backup unit, but its long-term functionality is uncertain.
"There are still several months of voyage ahead and 5000km to Western Australia."
During the rescue, Fedor said it was a 22m climb up the side in full wet weather gear and sailing boots.
"Good thing I’ve climbed Mt Everest twice — it helped."
He managed to secure both of his waterproof bags containing his satellite phones, diaries and personal belongings.
He was taken to the ship’s infirmary where he will remain until it arrives in Qingdao, China, on April 20-21.
The Akros could not be lifted on to the cargo ship.
Instead, it was securely sealed and left to drift in the Indian Ocean with a strobe light and satellite tracker still operating.
Oscar said they would monitor its drift and aimed to retrieve it near the Australian coast some time in the next six months.
Fedor said he teared up as the ship moved away from the Akros because it had been his home for 269 days.
It was not an easy decision to abandon the journey — it was the first evacuation and rescue of his life.
He had always returned to port with the yacht or boat he set out on, and he had never abandoned his vessel at sea.
