drifting in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday afternoon to climb aboard a cargo vessel heading for Jamaica.

A Harbour Radio operator noted yesterday it was not the first time they had to deal with the "eccentric'' sailor, 73-year-old Mr. Peter Halburn.

Mr. Halburn had been 350 miles north of Bermuda when he asked the ship for assistance on Sunday.

He reportedly told the Spring Gannet that his 30-foot yacht Apogee was taking on only a little water and he was in need of diesel and fresh water.

Harbour Radio said a full report was expected later this week when the ship arrives in Jamaica.

A search plane had been sent out last Wednesday when Harbour Radio noted his arrival in Bermuda was overdue.

One week earlier Harbour Radio had diverted a ship to Apogee to pick up two disgruntled crewmen who wanted to get off.

Mr. Halburn chose to continue his voyage to the British Virgin Islands via Bermuda by himself.

The US Coastguard search and rescue plane spotted him off Bermuda last week after he had been reported overdue, but he refused to speak to the pilot, the Harbour Radio operator said.

However, the next day he contacted nearby Spring Gannet to say he desperately needed diesel and fresh water.

When the ship came alongside, he chose to abandon Apogee .

The operator recalled that five years ago a search plane was sent out when the man's arrival in the Caribbean was reported to be overdue.

"It turned out he had changed his mind and gone to Canada instead -- and not told anyone,'' the spokesman said.