Four yachtsmen are riding out an Atlantic gale on a damaged yacht after a rescue attempt was abandoned.

The Canadian crew of Magique lost their rudder late last night, and are currently drifting 140 miles off Bermuda. A tanker that diverted to help the stranded crew had to pull away fearing the yacht would be smashed against its hull in the 20ft waves.

Another rescue attempt is now underway by a US Coastguard helicopter and C-130 Hercules plane. The crew have rigged a sea anchor to stabilise the vessel, and a 900ft Norwegian tanker Berge Boston is on standby with a crane should the situation worsen.