have put to sea -- according to two of Bermuda's most experienced sailors.

Capt. John Moore and Mr. Kirk Cooper believe the three men rescued from the Malachite by a US Coast Guard helicopter should not have been in the North Atlantic in the first place.

Capt. Moore stressed that even huge container ships were having problems reaching the Island. "A lot of guys have no respect for the sea, it is not like sailing in a river.'' And both found it strange that the three men had a public argument, which was aired on local television.

The crew of the 41-foot ketch Malachite , captain Mr. Nicholas Hull, from Toronto, Mr. Mark Termini, of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Ron Reggev, of New Jersey, set off from Beaufort, North Carolina, a week ago.

They were plucked from the yacht after three days of fighting for their lives in 45-knot winds and 30-foot high waves.

The men were saved by the bravery of a four-man Coast Guard helicopter air-sea rescue team, which only had enough fuel to continue onto Bermuda.

It was later revealed that Mr. Hull and Mr. Termini were refusing to speak to Mr. Reggev after the ordeal.

The captain and Mr. Termini accused Mr. Reggev, who they took on in New York, as being selfish and only interested in himself and his money during the storm. Mr. Reggev hit back, stating that his bringing a radio on board the yacht had saved their lives and accusing Mr. Hull of being "a tyrant''.

Mr. Cooper was surprised at this reaction, stating it was not typical for people to fall out after such an ordeal. "In my experience it is quite the reverse. It normally brings you closer to people.

"I think I can understand how this happened. If one of the crew is not so experienced you should not put to sea.'' After watching the TV row Capt. Moore came to the same conclusion. "The first thing that struck me was that it was late in the year to be sailing a boat this size in the North Atlantic,'' he said.

"Even merchant ships have trouble in December, so it is a mistake to take an inexperienced crew with you, even if the captain is experienced. You do not play around in the North Atlantic in December.'' He said the gravel ship Tinnes was 24 hours late into the Island this week because of the weather.

Capt. Moore added: "I think they had a harrowing experience but it is easy to point the finger when you are back on land.

"The one man was accusing the captain of being some kind of Captain Blyth, which I find hard to believe. I just do not think he was suited to the environment. When you are on a boat the captain must be seen as the master.''