A Scottish yachtsman sailing solo to the Azores who left Bermuda on June 3 abandoned ship yesterday after breaking his ribs 550 nautical miles east north east from the Island.

A Harbour Radio spokesman said last night that a mayday was received at the US Coast Guard in Norfolk from the 32-foot sloop rigged yacht Tiree after it sailed into heavy weather.

The Coast Guard contacted a US military ship in the area and it picked up the injured sailor, who was in a stable condition at 7 p.m. last night, the spokesman said.