today after being forced to abandon ship when it lost its rudder in a storm.

Mr. Wadson was returning from Newport Rhode Island on Saturday when Bermuda Harbour Radio received a distress call saying the boat had lost its rudder.

The US Coast Guard in New York also picked up the call and diverted the tanker, the Sea Empress , to rescue Mr. Wadson and another crew member from the stricken vessel.

Mr. Wadson put out an international distress call at about 8 p.m. on Saturday as he was sailing back to Bermuda.

He was 185 miles north west of the Island and close to tropical storm Barry which had winds gusting up to 60 knots. Communication with the vessel was hampered slightly because of poor conditions caused by the storm.

At about 10 p.m. the two men on board the 31-foot Swift of Paget were picked up by the tanker, leaving the vessel adrift in the seas, and taken to Philadelphia where they are due to land today.

A spokesman for Harbour Radio said: "It was not in their best interests to stay on board the ship. The situation could have got a lot worse.'' Last night, Mr. Wadson's father, Mr. T.J. Wadson, said he had not spoken to his son since he was rescued by the tanker.

He added: "Tom has plenty of sailing experience, but our concern is that he is safe and well.'' Mr. Wadson is a member of the Bermuda Offshore Cruising Association and last night another member, Mr. Greg Vasic, said he was relieved to hear that his colleague had been safely rescued.

"He has tremendous off-shore sailing experience and he is an excellent sailor. I was shocked to hear what had happened, but very happy he is OK.''