A sailor attempting to cross from Antigua to Bermuda was rescued in the face of stormy conditions south of the island.

The Department of Marine and Ports Services said in an incident report that on Saturday morning the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre received an e-mail from a sailor on the 52ft sailboat Alcyon Blue.

The sailor, understood to be former Olympic windsurfer Demetris Lappas, said he had suffered engine failure in poor weather conditions while sailing solo to Bermuda.

Further communications received on Sunday stated that the ship had also sustained sail damage in the midst of the continued severe weather, while the sailor himself was suffering from dizziness and nausea caused by the rough conditions.

As a result, the Alcyon Blue’s distress beacon was activated with the sailor seeking to abandon the vessel, which was about 132 miles southeast of the island at the time.

The merchant vessel Logos Hope, which was scheduled to arrive on the island this morning, and the cargo vessel Bermuda Islander, which left the island on Monday afternoon, were both sent to the location of the ship in an effort to rescue the sailor.

George Butterfield, the vice-president of Meyer Shipping, said that the Bermuda Islander reached the Alcyon Blue early yesterday and stayed nearby until it was able to pick up the 53-year-old sailor at about 10am.

Mr Butterfield said: “The Safety of Life at Sea Convention requires captains to proceed at maximum speed and assist persons in distress, regardless of nationality or status.

“This obligation stems from longstanding maritime tradition as well as a legal responsibility.”

The Bermuda Islander has since continued on its voyage to Salem, New Jersey.

Meanwhile, Bermuda Radio launched a navigation warning to caution ships that the Alcyon Blue was abandoned and adrift 184 miles southeast of Bermuda.