MONDAY

8.52 a.m. - New Nuts with three man crew departs Robinsons Marina, Somerset, looking for abandoned yacht Altair

5.58 p.m. - New Nuts contacts Harbour Radio to say no sign of Altair and they will remain at sea for next 24 hours

11 p.m. - The Soweto, which was also searching for Altair, returns to Bermuda safely

TUESDAY

9 a.m. - New Nuts' skipper Robert Lambe calls Harbour Radio, but is put on hold due to Harbour Radio doing broadcast

7.30 p.m. - Robert Lambe Sr father of New Nuts' skipper Robert Lambe contacts Harbour Radio saying he has heard nothing. Harbour Radio commences call-outs on all known frequencies

9.20 p.m. Harbour Radio and US Coastguard Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Norfolk, Virginia, receive alerts from New Nuts' emergency position indicating radio beacon showing it is 70-110 miles north-east of Bermuda

10.50 p.m. - Harbour Radio and US Coastguard send urgent broadcasts urging all vessels to be on look-out for New Nuts

11.30 p.m. - Distress beacons shows vessel is 72 miles north-east of St. George's

WEDNESDAY

00.10 a.m. - RCC Bermuda contacts US Coastguard asking them to send a C-130 aircraft to search for New Nuts

3.a.m. - C-130 leaves Elizabeth City, North Carolina

5.30 a.m. - C-130 arrives and begins searching the area

7.50 a.m. - Unused life-raft canister, lifejacket and blue seat cushion spotted in water

8.50 a.m. - C-130 leaves for Elizabeth City to refuel and second C-130 takes over

11 a.m. - Marine and Ports' tug Powerful departs 11.48 a.m. - Second C-130 spots man in water waving at them and drops life raft and survival gear

2.30 p.m. - US Naval hospital ship Comfort, on way to Gulf for war on terrorism, diverts to Bermuda and picks up survivor.