A crew that was forced to abandon their catamaran after it was struck by a rogue wave has arrived back in Bermuda.

The six-strong crew of the Ninah, including four Bermudians, was brought into St George’s by the pilot boat this morning.

The vessel was approximately 250 miles southwest of Bermuda when it sustained serious damage in high seas. The crew were picked up by a passing merchant vessel yesterday afternoon, which brought them into Bermudian waters today.

The Rescue Coordination Centre in Bermuda was contacted by the US Coastguard at 7.20am yesterday, reporting that an emergency signal was received from a Personal Locator Beacon.

RCC Bermuda managed to trace the beacon to a local owner who confirmed that the 75ft catamaran had been struck by the wave, sustaining damage to the vessel’s steering and the failure of one engine.

Ninah had departed Florida on Sunday. RCC Bermuda received a call from Ninah confirming vessel damage and the activation of emergency beacons on-board.

The crew declared a Mayday, indicating their intention to abandon vessel.

By 7.38am, a US Coastguard fixed wing aircraft was deployed to the distress position while merchant vessel Hercules Leader was tasked to assist, indicating arrival on scene around noon time.

Communications continued via satellite between RCC Bermuda, RCC Norfolk and Ninah in preparation for the merchant vessel’s arrival and to plan for the crew to board a life-raft and the subsequent recovery by the merchant vessel.

At 1.58pm, all crew were successfully recovered by Hercules Leader.