Their dream was a Christmas in the Caribbean as they celebrated their retirement together but instead they are onboard a fruit juice tanker heading for Belgium.

The bad luck of the American couple whose boat was mortally damaged in the middle of Atlantic has struck well-wishers who voiced relief John and Charlette Heyer did not suffer a far worse fate.

The couple, both 54, had sailed out of St. George?s on their 44-foot sloop on Tuesday morning en route to Puerto Rico but hit a submerged object 100 miles south of Bermuda in the early hours of Wednesday.

They were pulled from their life raft in the Atlantic on Wednesday after their yacht was left to sink.

A Harbour Radio spokesman said shipping was still being warned about the as it was impossible to tell if the boat was still afloat.

He said the ordeal of being in a life raft in the darkness waiting for help must have been scary for the couple who were fortunate to have suffered their ordeal in calm weather.

They were picked up by cargo ship the which is taking fruit juice to Ghent in Belgium.

Journalist Tom Vesey, who met the couple at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club during their three week stay, said: ?They were just beginning their retirement together and they seemed so excited and looking forward to long, happy days together cruising around on their boat.

?I remember going home and telling my wife about them, it all seemed so sweet and romantic and they were like a couple of teenagers heading off to fulfil a dream.

?It was sad to read the dream was cut short so quickly but I am very relieved they are safe. It could have been so much worse.?

?The guy retired a couple of years ago and was getting the boat ready.

?When his wife finally retired this year they were finally free to chase their dream.

?Their trip down from New York had been rough and they were looking forward to warmer and smoother weather once they left Bermuda and headed South.?

He said their boat was a solid new-looking Gozzard 44, and looked from a distance to be in immaculate condition.

Laurence Fox, of the Bermuda Police Information Management Services, also vouched for the pair?s sailing abilities and described the pair as probably some of the best tourists the Island ever had.

?They ate out in Bermuda almost every night for five weeks!?