vessels sunk and dashed on the rocks.

Marine Police have been swamped with calls to stricken vessels as high winds and heavy seas pounded all areas of the Island's coastline.

Last night Marine Police spokesman Sgt. Gary Venning confirmed 24 incidents of boats sinking or being blown onto rocks, during the storms that have battered the inland waters during the last few days.

He said houseboats, cabin cruisers, sailing yachts and small punts were just some of the boats that had been damaged or lost.

And he said difficulties in tracing owners because of inaccurate or outdated ownership information had made the situation worse, when vessels were left in a precarious condition.

Vessels had dragged or broken their moorings, or had been deluged with seawater and sank -- with automatic bilge pumps unable to function because of flat batteries.

Yesterday, in one of the latest incidents, Marine Police pulled a houseboat off the rocks at Watford Bridge in Sandys Parish.

"Whilst this prolonged period of weather continues, owners should make regular checks on their boats. If they are lying low in the water, get them pumped out and make sure the mooring bridles are not chaffing through,'' Sgt.

Venning said.