last night under their own power, after a terrifying mid-Atlantic ordeal which could have ended in tragedy.

Captain Darko Velcek sent out a Mayday signal on Monday night after the vessel, en route from Long Island to St. Thomas, capsized twice whilst battling 60-plus knot winds and high seas.

"The wind had been blowing for three days so the seas were incredibly high,'' said crew member Goran Komarica after docking Manella in St. George's last night.

Capt. Velcek and Mr. Komarica left Montauk, Long Island, last weekend. Also on board were 20-year old Long Islander Jese Rieswig and Capt. Velcek's dog Sailor.

"There was quite a bit of wind when we left, but it wasn't excessive and we expected that. We were looking forward to a fast passage.

"The weather Service predicted winds of 40 or so knots for Monday, but by then it was blowing well over 60. The boat was knocked over -- well past 100 degrees -- twice.

"The first knock-down washed away our life raft and Emergency Position Radio Beacon (EPIRB) which was worrying, but of much more immediate danger was the windows on the port side of the cabin which were shattered by the force of water,'' Mr. Komarica said.

Capt. Velcek crawled out along the side decks of the damaged vessel in the height of the storm and screwed plexi-glass plates over the windows.

"If he hadn't done that, the boat would have taken on water and probably sunk,'' said Mr. Komarica.

After the second knock-down, which ripped the mizzen mast out of its step, Capt. Velcek made a MayDay radio call, which was picked up by the US Coast Guard.

"By then we were in life jackets, just holding on to anything solid down below,'' he said. "The Coast Guard sent out a plane to keep a look out for us and a tanker stood by.

"The tanker could not have come alongside the boat in those conditions, and they offered to pick us up if we were in the water, but it was too dangerous for that.

"The engine was still working, so we decided to stay on board,'' he explained.

Manella covered the 200 miles to Bermuda using a combination of engine and sail power.

"The most danger was from the mizzen mast which was still attached to the main mast at the head.

Sailors recalls storm "We had to secure that by lashing it to the main mast, so we didn't have use of the main sail. But we were able to get the jib into service.'' Twenty-year old Jese Reiswig, who had never been to sea before signing on as crew on Manella , described his experience as a "baptism by water,'' the East Hampton, Long Island resident, who seemed to have recovered his good spirits by the time he stepped on to dry land, was unexpectedly welcomed to Bermuda by his father Gary.

"I just came down to make sure you were all right,'' explained the obviously emotional father as he hugged his son. "I heard about the MayDay call on Monday night, and I haven't slept much since.'' "That was the worst part for me,'' said Jese. "I wanted to contact my family and tell them I was all right, but there was no way I could.'' It will be some time before Capt. Velcek will know the full extent of damage to his vessel, but as of last night, captain and crew were not giving much thought to repairs or plans for going to sea again soon.

"Right now, I am thinking about a good drink. After that, maybe a shower,'' said Capt. Velcek -- as he filled out his Bermuda Immigration Arrivals Form.