A boat heading towards Bermuda today has aroused concerns by claiming it has suffered engine failure and has no water on board.

The 41ft Cristina, with three people on board, has not declared distress.

It has also refused offers of help from another boat, but is reportedly making slow progress as it nears the Island.

Bermuda Radio received its first call from the boat on Saturday, at 1 p.m. However, communication was very poor and no information was exchanged.

Yesterday, at about 3.15 a.m., the passing ship Maersk Dhak>, advised it had encountered the vessel 60 miles north of the Island. It reported Cristi$> had lost engine power but was not declaring distress and was proceeding towards Bermuda.

Crist<$> was advised to get as close to Bermuda as possible, where the possibility of a tow would be reviewed.

The vessel, which set sail from Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey, on December 29, then contacted Bermuda Radio again near 5 p.m., saying it was still 45 miles north east of Bermuda and requested a tow. Commercial salvors declined to tow the boat because it was not in distress. The crew then advised Bermuda Radio they had no fresh water on board. A US naval support vessel passing south of Bermuda offered to divert to provide the boat with water.

However, Crisa<$> declined the assistance and advised it were making its way to the Island, expecting to arrive near noon today. At about 10.30 p.m. last night, Crina<$> was 37 miles from harbour.

|0x95|A vessel bound for the US pulled into Bermuda so a sick seaman could receive urgent hospital treatment.

The Filipino crewman suffered suspected appendicitis while aboard the Bahamas-flagged Asian Spirit, an 85,000-tonne crude oil carrier which was heading from Escravos in Nigeria to Philadelphia. Bermuda Radio said the vessel arrived at the Island at about 10.15 p.m. on Saturday, when the victim was disembarked onto another boat which took him to Ordnance Island in St. George’s. He was then transferred by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Asian Spirit departed to continue its journey to the US at 10.50 a.m..

Concern grows over boat slowly heading towards Bermuda