yacht Oceanus C .

The 26-year-old St. George's man had been captured by authorities in the Bahamas.

The yacht's captain diverted there after finding the man, who jumped overboard and tried in vain to swim away in Nassau.

Last week Bermuda Police said the man was being deported here from Nassau.

But yesterday a Police spokesman said the Force had no news of his whereabouts.

And he added it was unclear whether any offence had been committed in Bermuda's jurisdiction.

"If and when he returned any criminal proceedings would be prosecuted by the Police.'' The spokesman believed the repatriation of the man was being handled by the Home Affairs Ministry.

Permanent Secretary Mr. Ernie Owen, however, disputed this.

He said the Ministry would only get involved if the man was being deported from Bermuda.

"I see no reason why we would get involved in these circumstances,'' he said.

Police also referred The Royal Gazette to Meyer Agencies, port agents for the Oceanus C' in Bermuda.

But Meyer spokesman Capt. John Moore said: "It is not our responsibility. We are only agents for the vessel's port of call in Bermuda.

"I don't know where the man is. As far as I know he is still cooling his jets in a jail in Nassau.'' An Immigration Ministry spokesman was equally uncertain.

"We were approached initially about helping to escort the man, but this did not happen. We are not involved, and I'm not sure what is happening.'' The man was discovered hiding in a life raft on the 151-foot Oceanus C , which had left Ordnance Island for Fort Lauderdale.

Bahamian authorities contacted Bermuda Police after his capture.

It is understood he is the same man who attempted to stow away on the container ship Oleander in January in a bid to get to the United States to see his parents.

The man is on the US stop list because he is wanted for questioning by Florida Police.