Five out of six missing regatta competitors were found alive by a helicopter crew early Sunday after the vessel they were sailing with was found overturned in the Gulf of Mexico, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said.

The search for the sixth missing sailor continues.

The search operation started after the 38-foot Cynthia Woods did not answer a radio check Saturday morning. The keel of the overturned vessel was ripped off - a sing that the boat may have hit something.

The Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Houston found the five sailors and took them aboard, Petty Officer Renee C. Aiello said early Sunday. The helicopter crew spotted them in the water 23 miles south of Freeport, Texas. After pulling them out of the water, the helicopter took them to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. According to the medical staff, they were in stable condition.

They are receiving treatment for minor exposure after staying in the water too long.
The sailors were competing in the Regatta de Amigos, a contest which covers 610 nautical miles from Galveston to Veracruz, Mexico.

The Regatta de Amigos started Friday and continues into next week.

The Cynthia Woods’ crew included four college students and two safety officers. Three of the students - Steven Guy, Joe Savana and Travis Wright — attend Texas A&M at Galveston, while Ross James Buzbee, attends Texas A&M in College Station, The Associated Press reported citing statements released by the above mentioned schools.

The safety officers were identified as Steve Conway of Texas A&M at Galveston and Roger Stone of Galveston.