New Year's Eve parties should go without a hitch despite the recent gale force winds, weather forecasters said yesterday.

But on New Year's Day, showers and high winds are scheduled to pick up once again.

Harbour Radio reported three boats had slipped their moorings - two at Flatts and one in Hamilton Harbour - on Saturday in the blustery conditions and choppy seas, although there were no reports of any vessels being lost.

Sustained gale force winds were of 42 knots - with gusts up to storm force winds of 57 knots - were blowing off North Rock yesterday afternoon.

And at the Airport yesterday, sustained winds of 28 knots (32 miles per hour) with gusts of 46 knots (53 miles per hour) were recorded.

Bermuda Weather Service forecaster Kimberley Zuill said yesterday: "New Year's Eve should be fine and fireworks should be able to go off without a hitch.

"New Year's Day should for the most part be fine, but with winds increasing by the evening and developing showers."

Ms Zuill said winds started increasing on Saturday when a low pressure area arrived, and they built up overnight and into yesterday.

The winds are expected to drop off early tonight and settle tomorrow, but New Year's Day will see an increase in wind and humidity, with rain and winds of between 20-30 knots.

Harbour Radio also recorded that a 45 foot yacht was found floating 85 miles north west of Bermuda on Saturday.

The damaged yacht, which has not been identified, was found by the boat Cosco Norfolk, but there was no sign of life onboard, a Harbour Radio spokesman said.