was found at sea on Friday.

Police will be hoping to find what problems were encountered by the still-missing crew of the 21-foot Cutty Cabin Simply Red .

And a Harbour Radio spokesman said the examination could reveal facts that will prevent any recurrence of the tragedy.

The families of the three missing fishermen, who have not been seen since they left Riddell's Bay 19 days ago, are hoping that the empty boat may be a sign that they have been picked up by another vessel.

Brothers Randy (Scorcher) Outerbridge, 30, and Jeffrey (Jakes) Outerbridge, 25, and their friend Geaige Minks, 26, were heading towards Challenger Banks on a fishing trip when they last contacted Harbour Radio, on January 26.

The boat belonged to Randy Outerbridge and a new engine had been fitted last summer.

The following day a storm battered Bermuda and local waters with strong winds and high seas.

A massive air and sea search followed but nothing was found until Friday when the Simply Red was discovered 50 miles east of Bermuda.

That search has now effectively ended, the Harbour Radio spokesman said it would be impractical to continue to look because of the length of time the men have been missing.

He said that the terrible weather conditions of recent weeks and the temperatures of the sea made the possibility of survival remote.

But he said that Harbour Radio will continue to inform shipping of the drama in case any evidence of what happened to the three men comes to light. The spokesman said: "We recovered the boat for a number of reasons. The Police will examine it to see if there are any clues about how the men got into their original problem and to see if there are any lessons to be learned for other people.

"There are 7,000 boats around Bermuda and the majority are pleasure craft like this one, so there could be important lessons for some of those owners.

" Simply Red was in remarkably good condition and we decided to get it off the water. Although it is unlikely, it could have been a hazard for other small boats and it also means we will not get a reports about it every time it is seen by a passing boat or plane.'' The spokesman said the discovery of the empty boat was a sign that the crew were unlikely to be found. He said: "We now have to say to the families that they should try and get on with their lives.'' However the families are still clinging to the hope that the three men were picked up by a foreign vessel who, for some reason, has not made radio contact.

Uncle of the Outerbridge brothers, Mr. Custerfield Crockwell said he felt that the discovery of the boat without any signs of the men could be a good sign.

He said they could have abandoned the boat to climb aboard another vessel.

Mr. Crockwell said: "Nothing has been found to indicate what might have happened. The Police are looking over the boat and checking on the emergency equipment.'' Sgt. Paul Cranage of the Marine Police was not available to comment on their examination of the boat, which is presently at the Police Headquarters, in Prospect.

MISSING BOAT FOUND -- Simply Red is seen here after being brought back to Ordnance Island late Friday night. Picture by Walter Brown.