afternoon when their 16-foot boat sank after allegedly being swamped by a passing pleasure boat.

Owner and operator of the A-Class vessel, Brian Smith, was piloting Number 98 during Sunday's Bermuda Powerboat Association races in the South Channel when the incident occurred.

"I rounded (Buoy) 22 and felt like I hit something,'' said Mr. Smith. "My feet got wet and next thing I know, the boat was down.'' Mr. Smith and his co-pilot Che Smith turned the boat around and headed for Ferry Reach but the boat sunk quickly. Rescue vessels were quick to pick up the two crewmen and a search for the powerboat in about 55-feet of water started immediately.

"I've got a lot of help right now,'' Mr. Smith said yesterday.

Number 98 was found by divers on Sunday but was lost again when the divers ascended for rope and the salvage vessel drifted due to tumultuous weather.

The search had to be called off again yesterday when a passing cruise ship stirred up sand and silt cutting visibility. It is expected to resume today.

Mr. Smith noted that the incident occurred quickly and with the water splashing in his face it was hard to see what took place exactly.

But a Bermuda Powerboat Association official said he believed the accident was caused by the wake from a much larger vessel that could not be seen from the shore. Other boats were also swamped by the waves from the vessel.