Bermudian authorities have joined in a search for two American sailors who were reported missing in the Atlantic.

Yanni Nikopoulos and Gale Jones, both 65, set out from Virginia on June 8 with plans to sail to the Azores and then Greece, but they contacted their families on June 13 to say they had turned around because their vessel Kyklades had been damaged in bad weather.

At the time, their boat was about 460 miles east of Virginia Beach.

Brian Gainey, command duty officer with the US Coast Guard, said: “In situations like this, where there are so many unknowns, our co-ordination efforts need to cast a wide and international net.

“We’re tracking cell phone and radio pings as we work with our counterparts in Bermuda to accurately determine the most intelligent search area for our air crews.

“It’s a lot of detective work, but it’s all in service to finding these two individuals and bringing them home to their families.”

A US Coast Guard notice said they were contacted by the family of the sailors last Friday after they became concerned by a lack of communication.

“While no date had been established for their return, an anticipated return date of June 20 was communicated by the daughter,” the statement said.

“Two overflights conducted by HC-130 Hercules crews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City have been conducted of the approximate area of the missing boaters.

“An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast has been issued by the Fifth Coast Guard District Command Centre to alert boaters in the area to the situation.”

The Coast Guard has asked that anyone with information related to the search for Mr Jones and Mr Nikopoulos to call the Fifth District Command Centre at 757-398-6390.