miles off the Bermuda coast was called off last night.

A spokesman for Harbour Radio said the Hood Island -- which had expected to rendevous with a helicopter today -- was diverting to Miami with the ill Portuguese crewman.

The man had been on a Portuguese fishing vessel 1,000 miles off Bermuda when he was taken ill.

US Coast Guard parajumpers were dropped from a Hercules C130 aircraft onto the Cam Civet on Monday night. They stabilised the man and later the group transferred to the Hood Island , which was to head to Bermuda before it diverted.

A US Coast Guard helicopter was expected to arrive last night and was due to airlift the man and parajumpers back to Bermuda, but the mission was called off after the man was stabilised.

SHIP SHI