The steel haul blue and white slope, Misty , left Point Judith, Rhode Island last week and is late arriving in Bermuda. The yacht should have arrived here by Thursday.

A Harbour radio spokesman said it was not known how many people were on board the vessel, but they were in the process of assessing the number.

They have also issued an important message for all passing vessels to look out for the Misty .

Meanwhile, a US Coast Guard C1-30 aircraft has been called in to help in the search.

As The Royal Gazette went to press last night the spotter plane was still patrolling seas trying to locate the craft.

Another yacht that was left badly damaged in heavy seas off the Island's coast earlier this week finally limped into Hamilton harbour yesterday.

The mast of the 38-foot Finnish sloop Meriuikku was shattered in stormy weather on Monday evening.

The vessel, with a crew of five on board, had left the Island three days earlier and was heading towards Europe.

It was able to make the 400 mile journey back to dry land after the crew eventually managed to rig up a makeshift mast.

SAILING SLG