A FLEET of recreational powerboats arrived on the island last weekend, participants in a record-making voyage between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Gibraltar.

Eighteen boats with around 100 crew are now on the island, refuelling and relaxing before making their way to the Azores, the second pit stop on the 3,800-mile crossing. While not an uncommon expedition for sailing yachts, it's a voyage never before undertaken by motor-powered vessels and the main reason behind the Nordhavn Atlantic Rally 2004.

"It's the first time there has ever been a convoy-style crossing of the Atlantic by powerboats," explained Milt Baker, a consultant to the Nordhavn boat company and a member of the Rally's organising committee.

"Lots of sail boats have gone across. They don't normally sail in convoy because they sail at different speeds, but these boats are actually staying together. Part of that is there's safety in numbers, and part is it's just kind of fun to be together."

The boats range between 40 and 90 feet and travel in two groups based on speed capability. Staggered departure times ensure the two parties arrive at destinations together. Outside of a strict inspection for seaworthiness, one of the primary criteria for acceptance into the rally was that each yacht be capable of travelling a minimum of 2,500 nautical miles at seven knots.

There is no refuelling between pit stops and no fuel is allowed on deck. The unusual voyage is being documented by renowned circumnavigating yachtsman and TV/film director, Bruce Kessler, who is accompanying the fleet.

"When you get right down to it, the reason we're holding the rally is to offer people who own ocean going powerboats an opportunity to cross the ocean together," explained Mr. Baker. "We're not really testing any new advances. What we do have is a bunch of boats that have been designed specifically for crossing oceans.

"So they tend to be bigger, heavier and slower than most motorboats ? bigger so they can carry more fuel, and they tend to be slower because they burn the fuel at a slower rate. Each of these boats have the ability to make the longest leg of this trip ? 1,800 miles between Bermuda and the Azores ? without basically having any fuel tanks on deck. All the fuel is in their own internal tanks."

The fleet has three escorts ? a company-operated Nordhavn 7 built especially for the rally and two Nordhavn 62s whose owners volunteered to go along as escorts ? which will carry emergency fuel and are fitted to tow a vessel if necessary. Mechanics, technicians, and a doctor, will also be on call.

"It's the first time it's ever been done," Mr. Baker said. "So what we've said to people is: 'You're making history'."

The consultant explained that Nordhavn builds boats primarily for ocean crossings and created all but three of those participating in the rally. The typical crew is four to five people with participants ranging in age. Involved are "at least one teenager and we've certainly got some people in their seventies. I don't think there's any people older than 80."

Once the flotilla reaches the Mediterranean, boaters are free to cruise the area according to their own schedule with the option of returning across the Atlantic in the manner they came or as freight on one of the transports that carry pleasure yachts across oceans.

"Gibraltar is the main entry into the Med. For many of these boats, after they complete the Rally, the captains want to cruise the Mediterranean. It's a great cruising ground for yachtsmen and so what we've tried to do with this Nordhavn Atlantic Rally is take them from one place they wanted to be, Fort Lauderdale, to another place they wanted to be, Gibraltar, so they could actually go on and cruise in the Med."

l Those wishing to learn more about the rally or to visit the participating yachts, may attend an open house at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. today. The yachts are scheduled to leave Bermuda for the Azores as they arrived ? in two groups, tomorrow and Tuesday morning.