Iran holding 5 British yachtsmen

TEHRAN, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Iran is holding five Britons whose racing yacht may have strayed into Iranian waters after experiencing mechanical problems, British officials said Monday.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said British diplomats were in close touch with Iranian officials and hoped the case could be resolved in short order.

"Officials immediately contacted the Iranian authorities in London and Tehran, both to seek clarification and to try to resolve the matter swiftly," Milliband said.

The Daily Telegraph reported the five men being detained were believed to be Sam Usher, Olly Smith, Luke Porter, Oliver Young and David Bloomer, a Bahrain Radio presenter, though officials had yet to confirm their identities.

Their yacht, the Kingdom of Bahrain, was sailing from Bahrain to the United Arab Emirates to take part in a race when it was commandeered Wednesday by an Iranian patrol vessel. The yacht may have wandered into Iran's territorial waters because of a damaged propeller, the British newspaper said.It's believed the crew members are in Iran where they are thought to be well, the Telegraph said. Their families have been kept up to date, the newspaper said.