Lone yachtsman saved PORT ERIN'S 37ft 6in Rother class lifeboat Osman Gabriel launched at 1502 on April 18, 1987 following reports from Ramsey Coastguard of the yacht Aiva in difficulties and taking water 10 miles north west of the Calf of Man.

The one person on board the yacht was seasick, exhausted and unable to cope with the situation.

Coxswain Raymond Buchan and his crew located the casualty at 1730, 20 miles north west of Port Erin lifeboat station.

During the search the weather had deteriorated, with the wind increasing from the south and gusting to force 7.

Sea conditions were rough and visibility moderate, with mist patches.

The yachtsman was transferred to the lifeboat. Second Coxswain Malcolm Cockburn boarding the Aiva to secure atow line and pump out water during the long tow back to Port Erin.

Osman Gabriel returned to station at 2245. The casualty and Mechanic Herbert Moore, whose ribs were injured when a heavy sea struck the lifeboat on the return journey, flinging him across the wheelhouse, were taken to hospital by a waiting ambulance..