A search for two missing sailors who are presumed dead after a desperate attempt to abandon ship in stormy seas off Bermuda has been called off.

The 44-year-old American woman and 47-year-old Swiss man were en route to the Island from Long Island, New York, aboard the 42-foot sailboat Albatross.

According to rescue authorities in Bermuda and the US the vessel experienced more than 24 hours of high winds and heavy seas due to extratropical storm Noel.

The crew called for help on Saturday night when they were 260 miles north of Bermuda, reporting that several members were badly seasick and one had suffered a minor head injury as a result of their battering in 40 foot seas and wind gusts of 50 knots.

Having insisted that they be taken off the Albatross, the crew made desperate leaps for the 645 foot car carrier Martorell, which was sent to assist them. They reportedly failed to take safety equipment passed to them from the Martorell.

Three of the sailors made it to safety, but two others fell into the water.

The rescue ship immediately began a search of the area with three more planes and a helicopter from the US Coast Guard and airforce joining in.

However, a spokesman for Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre said last night that the search had been called off, with the Albatross located but no survivors.

The missing man and woman have not been named by the authorities. Those successfully rescued were two male Swiss nationals and one male US national.

They have not been identified and are expected to be taken on the car carrier to Charleston, South Carolina.