Rough conditions and technical woes left several sailors in distress this week, according to a series of incident reports by the Department of Marine and Ports.

At about 5pm on Tuesday, RCC Bermuda received reports from concerned yachts that the Mana-olana, a 41ft sloop, was in possible distress 100 miles north of Bermuda.

The sailboat had reportedly lost the use of its sails, the engine was inoperable and two crew members had been injured.

An incident report said: “RCC Bermuda is able to make satellite phone contact with the vessel to obtain description and other safety equipment details.

“RCC Norfolk are briefed and they report working another distress case involving five persons aboard the dismasted sailing vessel Sula Bassana en route from Halifax to Bermuda.”

It was reported that at 7pm, the two crew members on the Mana-olana said that they wanted to abandon the vessel and RCC Bermuda began a search for merchant ships in position to assist while the US Coast Guard organised a cutter to depart on Wednesday morning to investigate this and another incident.

RCC Bermuda identified that the bulk carrier Mama Strength, which was travelling from Ireland to Baltimore, was about 70 miles from the Mana-olana and called on the ship to divert to help the crew of the struggling vessel.

At the time, the sloop’s battery was running low, causing the crew to conserve power outside the hourly communications with RCC Bermuda.

The Mama Strength met the Mana-olana on Wednesday afternoon and, after two failed attempts in heavy seas, was able to secure the yacht alongside the carrier with mooring ropes.

The crew of the Mana-olana were safely on board the Mama Strength by 9pm in “good condition” and the carrier continued its voyage to Baltimore.

RCC Bermuda was called to duty again on Thursday afternoon after the 40ft sailboat Samurai reported sail damage and rigging problems about 135 miles southeast of Bermuda.

The Canadian-registered ship, which was travelling from Nova Scotia to Grenada, had no emergency position indicating radio beacon and had lost its life raft early on its voyage.

An incident report added: “Crew also report a lightning strike occurred that damaged on-board electronics extensively, leaving them with just a handheld VHF radio and a handheld satellite communications device for maintaining contact with shore.

“Her fuel is sufficient for only another day of motoring as they hand steer the vessel.

“RCC Bermuda is monitoring progress with position reports sent every four hours. However, northwesterly winds are expected to hamper progress towards Bermuda over the next four to five days and all options are being assessed with yacht's crew given that the situation could further deteriorate.”

In another incident that happened on November 8, RCC Miami contacted RCC Bermuda after receiving reports that the Bermuda-bound sailboat Liahona may have encountered difficulties.

The 37ft boat, which set out from Maine, was reported being 65 miles north-northeast of Bermuda on November 5, but nothing had been heard from the two crew members on board since then.

The US Coast Guard launched a search for the missing vessel with no success, while discussions with family members of the crew suggested it was possible the ship bypassed Bermuda and sailed towards Puerto Rico.

It was subsequently reported that the Liahona arrived safely in Puerto Rico yesterday morning with both crew members in good health, despite an apparent failure of the boat’s satellite communication system.