lone yachtsman who may have been lost at sea for months.

Mr. Alfred Clark, 50, from Norfolk, Virginia, was found in a dehydrated state on his yacht by the crew of the Somers Isles yesterday.

The 20-foot boat had no food or water, and Mr. Clark had no idea how long he had been sailing.

It was by chance that the container ship came across the boat 145 miles south of Bermuda. The Somers Isles left Bermuda on Thursday and will arrive in Fernandina Beach in Florida on Monday.

A spokesman for Meyer Agency, agents for the Somers Isles said: "They came across the sail boat and the captain could see no sign of life. The boat had lost its main mast, there was just a small mast.

"He dispatched a vessel to go to its assistance and they found the man lying in the boat. There was no food or water and there was no navigation equipment.

The water tanks were empty and there was no fuel.'' Mr. Clark was in a bad state when he was found and could not talk properly according to a Harbour Radio spokesman. He was carried to the Somers Isles where he was given medical treatment.

He later told crew members that he had no idea when he had departed Norfolk nor whether he had been sailing one month or three months.

While the man was being treated Police were contacted in Norfolk in an attempt to make contact with his family.

The captain of the Bermudian ship decided to sail on to his destination because there was adequate medical equipment on board to care for Mr. Clark.

Last night he was said to be feeling cold but on the whole was "much better.'' The crew of Somers Isles winched Mr. Clark's boat onto the side of the ship.