Crew aboard three stricken yachts bound for Bermuda were picked up in separate rescue missions yesterday as 30-foot waves battered the vulnerable craft.

Four Canadian men were hoisted to safety at 7.42 a.m. after their sailing vessel lost its rudder off Bermuda. Brian Cullinan, 56, Pat Heeney, 60, David Lyons, 60 and Bob Barnes 55, were aboard the 44-foot craft, from St. John, Brunswick, when rough seas and heavy winds overwhelmed the vessel on Wednesday ? 100 nautical miles north east of Bermuda.

Back on dry land at his Bermuda guest house Mr. Cullinan, who skippered the , told : "I am happy with the outcome. I had a very good crew."

He said the rescuers did an "absolutely great job" but declined to discuss the ordeal further. The vessel was abandoned at sea. The crew had endured nearly 24 hours of uncertainty after was critically damaged. An attempted rescue by passing Norwegian tanker on Wednesday night had been called off after it threatened to smash the in near storm force winds. So a US Coast Guard helicopter and C-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina flew through the night to reach Bermuda.

It landed, re-fuelled and proceeded with a fresh helicopter crew to the scene of the disaster.

Mr. Geoffrey Pagels, US Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command Center, praised the Bermuda's Rescue and Coordination Centre staff who worked with the Coast Guard to plan and execute the rescue.

And US Consul General Gregory Slayton said: "The continued excellent working relationship between the United States and Bermuda, in this case between the US Coast Guard and Rescue and Coordination Center here in Bermuda, has once again paid huge dividends. "The brave men and women of the US Coast Guard provide a tremendous service to all of us who enjoy the water, and they certainly came through for the sailors aboard the Magique. We should all be very grateful for their skill and dedication. "

The helicopter crew is expected to remain in Bermuda until a re-fuelling platform can be positioned halfway between Bermuda and the US to facilitate re-fuelling as they make their way home.

Mr. Pagels said, "Gosh these guys are good! I'm humbled to be part of this great organisation and the endeavour we pursue."

And early yesterday evening a Bahamian cargo ship launched a rescue mission to pick up four Canadian crew, one with a broken arm, aboard a stricken yacht 220 miles north east of Bermuda.

The 40-foot was on its way from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Bermuda when it lost its engine and mast in rough weather. One male crew member has a broken arm.

US Coast Guard Petty Officer Christopher Evanson said Bahamian cargo ship had launched a life boat in 20-30 foot seas.

He said: "The crew are exhausted. One has a broken arm. But they are in decent shape."

Meanwhile emergency services were assessing how to handle a medical emergency aboard the cruise ship after a 74-year-old American suffered a heart problem which could be a stroke or a blood clot.An air rescue is being considered and the ship, originally bound for the US, has been diverted to Bermuda to arrive on Saturday. And three people who radioed for help after their sailboat are safe aboard the Canadian navy warship Athabaskan.

The sailboat, La Pierva, registered in Quebec, was also on its way to Bermuda. The met up with the boat about 350 kilometres southeast of Yarmouth. The warship was on its way to North Carolina for a training exercise when it was called to help.

A Coast Guard Jayhawk rescue helicopter also hoisted three men to safety early yesterday afternoon 150 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. The men were aboard the , a 45-foot two-masted sailing vessel when they were beset by heavy seas.