The warning means tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds of at least 39 mph, were expected in the next 24 hours.

CNN: Katrina hits Florida: 3 dead; 1 million in dark

The waters off North Carolina's coast, for a host of environmental factors including sharp winds, shifting currents, hurricanes and a large shoal off shore, make it particularly dangerous for shipping.

WSJ: Heavy Seas Claim Replica of HMS Bounty

On Wednesday, the threat shifts farther east, with parts of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia at moderate risk of severe weather, including damaging winds and isolated tornadoes, the Storm Prediction Center said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Mr Carson said the crew had reported the carrier, with 3, 000 tonnes of limestone onboard, was struggling in adverse conditions, including gale force winds.

BBC: Hunt for five missing crew of sunken Swanland halts

The 4, 300 mile route takes competitors through a number of diverse weather systems, including the trade winds off the Canaries and Cape Verde islands, and the doldrums over the equator.

BBC: Transat Jacques Vabre

The venue will be a European city chosen for steady winds (the five finalists, including Lisbon and Marseilles, have a ten-year record of at least 90% wind reliability) so TV coverage can be promoted without fear of canceled races.

FORBES: Sailing For the Gold

The anti-clockwise route took him past landmarks including the Needles and St Catherine's Point, battling winds of up to 20 knots and 10ft-high waves.

BBC: Luke Morrison