ship adrift in the ocean like the Marie Celeste .

The Spinache , taking part in the Marion to Bermuda race, was en route to the Island when her crew spotted the Regina K riding the seas without a mast or power.

"We had no idea what was wrong,'' said Mr. James Lawless, of the Spinache .

"We had to divert course and board the ship to investigate.'' Unknown to the Spinache crew, Regina K owner Mr. Ken Bordieri had been forced to abandon the yacht weeks earlier after it was dismasted during the Bermuda One-Two race.

Mr. Bordieri was lifted off the 25-foot yacht 300 miles off Bermuda by US Navy helicopter on June 13.

Mr. Lawless added: "Nothing had been put out to notify the mariners that Mr.

Bordieri had been taken off or that the boat was still adrift. Fortunately the time we spent searching was deducted from the race time.'' One crewman was put on board the Regina K from the Spinache to search the ship and take a few belongings for Mr. Bordieri, which the crew was able to hand over when they met him in Bermuda.

"There were no signs of life on the ship and we had no idea if someone was injured or had fallen overboard so we had to stop and search,'' said Mr.

Lawless.

The Spinache came across the yacht about six days after she was abandoned.

Despite the diversion and would-be rescue attempt the Spinache still managed to finish fourth overall in the race.