George's Harbour.

The storm battered Passion with husband and wife Mr. Jim and Mrs. Laurie Copeland on board had contacted Harbour Radio just hours earlier.

And despite a nightmare voyage from Stoneycreek in Connecticut, the couple were in high spirits and ready for a drink.

Experienced sailors, Mr. and Mrs. Copeland set off on a journey 11 days ago that will ultimately see them move home -- their 40-foot white ketch -- to Florida. They have lived on the boat for three years, having married seven years ago.

Mr. Copeland, 50, said: "About three days into our journey to Bermuda we hit a force nine gale in the Atlantic.

"It took our dinghy away, it clogged up the engine's cooling system and it blew out two head sails.'' The sails that remained enabled them to continue their journey and they got within 80 miles of Bermuda. At that point they made contact with Harbour Radio.

But then Passion was hit by southwest winds. "They got harder and harder. So we had to wait them out,'' said Mr. Copeland.

"It blew for 50 hours and we were blown 50 miles in the wrong direction and out of radio contact.'' Harbour Radio thought the couple were in trouble and immediately asked shipping to look out for their craft.

Later US Coast Guard planes and the helicopter from the United States Naval Air Station searched for the couple.

Mrs. Copeland, 34, said: "We were never really in distress. We were just a little uncomfortable.

"We did not even know there had been a search until we got halfway into the harbour. Everyone was really helpful.'' Completing the drama, when they attempted to start the engine to get into Somers Wharf, the switch snapped off. Marine Police arrived to help them to the dock where a Customs officer was waiting to search their boat.

SAFE AND SOUND -- Mr. Jim Copeland and Mrs. Laurie Copeland on board Passion , their storm-battered home. (See story left).