for emergency repairs to the towing cable.

A spokesman for Harbour Radio, which co-ordinated the diversion said the tug USNS Crusader had docked in St. George's for hull repairs.

The tugs were being escorted by the salvage tug USNS Supply and the warship USS Saturn on the trip.

The convoy was forced to divert to Bermuda after losing the tow in high seas.

The crews of the tugs managed to make temporary repairs to the cable, but decided to put into Bermuda to properly resecure the dry dock before continuing the voyage.

Ensign and Crusader are expected to put into either Murray's Anchorage or the WEDCO dock at King's Wharf, Dockyard.

After the repairs are made, the tugs are likely to wait for calmer weather before putting back out to sea.