PORT Erin Lifeboat rescued a sailor who had been knocked overboard in rough and unpleasant conditions last night (Tuesday).
The Atlantic 85 lifeboat - Muriel and Leslie -was called out to look for an overdue boat which was en route from Port Erin to Port St Mary.
After a short search the crew found an 18ft vessel which was floating unmanned between Spanish Head and Black Head.
The sailor, a man, was found drifting towards the rocks in the Bay Stacka area approximately 15 minutes later. He was being kept afloat by his lifejacket.
He was brought aboard the lifeboat, conscious and talking, and taken to Port St Mary harbour before being taken to Noble's Hospital by ambulance.
Graham Staples from Port Erin Lifeboat said: "Locating the missing man was no easy task but the high levels of training of the volunteer crew and high quality equipment on the lifeboat enabled the rescue to be undertaken quickly and the unfortunate sailor to be found and rescued.
"I would like to take this opportunity to personally commend the crew for their bravery and selfless actions in this rescue and to thank the general public for their continued support and generosity which enables the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to continue to run to the high standards it does because every penny donated allows us to keep saving lives at sea."
