Two brothers are this morning due to resume their “Suicide Challenge” across the Atlantic — against the better wishes of the US Coast Guard and Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre.

Ralph and Bob Brown are hoping to write themselves into the Guinness Book of World Records by voyaging from the Island to North Carolina on their tiny open-topped boat Intruder 21. They reached Bermuda last Wednesday on the 21 foot flats boat — normally designed for shallow water fishing — following an unescorted 800 miles trek in the other direction.

Last night, Ralph, 48, thanked the people of Bermuda for their friendliness during their stay on the Island.

“People here have been wonderful. I don’t think I have ever been anywhere like it before.

“I’ve got butterflies in my stomach but everyone does. But once you get out there and get going, it’s different.”

The trip has been dubbed The Ultimate Bermuda Suicide Challenge by their publicity team, but the Brown brothers insist the risk factor is minimal. Ralph says he hopes the mission will help him prove the seaworthiness of the boat he built himself.

However, a US Coast Guard email to the brothers yesterday stated: “Even in times of fair weather, local conditions can rapidly change with little warning. There are certainly more responsible ways to prove that your company builds a quality vessel without jeopardising the lives of those on board and the lives of potential search and rescue responders who would be called upon in time of need.

“I ask that you reconsider your sailing plans and declare victory from Bermuda while you are still able to do so.”

A Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre spokesman said last week: “We were concerned about the size of the craft — it’s quite small and quite open as well. We asked them what would happen if it took water on board.

“But we can’t stop them from going back out. We have chatted about their safety on board and we will make sure we keep an eye on them.”

The Brown brothers, who are from Florida, expect to arrive in North Carolina on Friday morning.