crews struggled to stay in touch with Bermuda.

The link has been provided by radio ham, Mr. Herb Hilgenberg to the yachts Owl and Gentle Presence which are experiencing difficulties 300 miles southeast of the Island.

The Owl started to take on water two days ago and has no power or means of communication.

On board are the 57-year-old American captain and his wife. The man has a broken rib but is refusing to abandon the yacht.

Gentle Presence , with a 71-year-old skipper, is watching over her on the voyage to Antigua.

Radio contact has been maintained between the Gentle Presence and Mr.

Hilgenberg at his home in Paget.

And the amateur radio operator has been able to relay messages between Bermuda's Harbour Radio and the US Coastguard and the two yachts.

But yesterday Mr. Hilgenberg feared that power problems on the Gentle Presence would make contact increasingly difficult.

He said: "I contacted them first thing and they told me that the Owl needed a new pump. I informed the US Coastguard and they were sending out a plane to deliver a pump.

"But I tried again around lunchtime and I could not make contact. They have been having difficulties generating power and there was no radio signal.'' Last night, Mr. Hilgenberg was again trying to make contact. He said: "I am hoping they will be able to resolve two problems.

"Firstly we are hoping the new pump on the Owl is working and clearing water from the yacht.

"Hopefully the Gentle Presence will have its generator up and running and providing power to maintain communications. Once that has started we should see the light at the end of the tunnel.'' Weather conditions have been improving over the past 48 hours with winds down to 10-15 knots and seas less than 15 feet.

On Tuesday both yachts were battered by high winds and 30 foot seas.