yacht in distress in the Atlantic.

The three had radioed the Island requesting assistance as they wanted to abandon their sailing yacht, which had been battered by 20 foot seas and 35 knot winds.

Heavy seas had rolled the US-registered Victory over and although it had not taken on any water, they had been advised to stay with the ship as long as possible.

A tanker, the Iver Splendor was heading toward the Victory , which was positioned 250 miles north of Bermuda, last night and was expected to rendevous with the 45 foot boat in the early hours of today.

A Harbour Radio spokesman said they had been asked to act as communications coordinators for the rescue by the US Coast Guard, as the Island was the only base that could hear the yacht.

No Coast Guard vessels or helicopters could launch because of the appalling weather in the North Atlantic.

The Iver Splendor was heading towards the US at the time of the distress call and was around 36 miles away from the Victory . It was making around nine knots.

RADIO RAO