A crew member onboard a UK registered yacht was airlifted to Bermuda yesterday after falling ill in a sailing race across the Atlantic.

The crew member was competing in the ARC Europe Rally on-board the 31-foot Whimbrel II.

The race began in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

The yacht contacted Bermuda Maritime Operations for assistance around 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The crew member was said to be suffering from diabetes and vomiting due to sea sickness.

"A US Coastguard HH60 helicopter arrived in Bermuda [Wednesday evening with the intention to depart early yesterday morning and recover the casualty," a spokesperson from the Department of Marine & Ports Services said.

"At 0900 local time yesterday, a C-130 fixed wing aircraft and HH60 helicopter arrived on scene with the casualty, now approximately 180 miles south of Bermuda, with intentions to airlift the sick crew member back to Bermuda."

The person arrived at L.F. Wade International Airport at 10.50 a.m. and was taken by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.