The family of lucky-to-be-alive Robert (Bobby) Lambe was racked with bittersweet emotions last night after their beloved fisherman was found alive at sea after a dramatic rescue - while two of his comrades remained missing.

The mother of 34-year-old Bobby Jr., Nettie Lambe, said the family was elated when Harbour Radio called them late yesterday afternoon to confirm that the skipper of the overturned fishing boat New Nuts had been plucked from stormy seas.

But Mrs. Lambe said their excitement of knowing that Bobby would be returning to them soon was severely dampened by the US Coast Guard's failure to find Alan Edness, 56, and Micah Battersbee, 29.

"I'm feeling very good, but I'm still very sad for the other two families," said Mrs. Lambe, shortly after she learned Bobby was safe but before the search for the other two crewmen had been called off.

"We are still hoping they will be found, but it will be getting dark soon, so they will have to use spot lights.

"All the guys on the tug boat (Powerful) knew all three of them, so I know they will not just sit there.

"We are very excited that Bobby has been found, but then also sad for the other two. It's happiness on one side, and sadness on the other."

Bobby's father Robert Sr. said he contacted Harbour Radio at about 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday after he became concerned about New Nuts, due to the stormy weather conditions.

He said he was not expecting his son to return to the Island until today, but felt sure he would head back early as the weather deteriorated.

Mr. Lambe Sr., who lives with his wife and Bobby on Beach Estate in Somerset, said when he called Harbour Radio, he was told that his son had radioed in at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, but everything was fine at that point and he was put on standby while the staff released a broadcast on a different frequency.

However, when they returned to Bobby, he was gone.

"The men at Harbour Radio know Bobby pretty well and recognised his voice because he deals with them quite often," said Mr. Lambe.

"They knew his call sign and his voice, so they were sure they had spoken to him. Bobby did not say it was an emergency, and he could have broken into the broadcast at any time, if it had been urgent, but he didn't.

"He was probably just calling routinely because he does call into Harbour Radio quite often to tell them what he's doing. I don't think it was an emergency at that point."

The US Coast Guard said Bobby was picked up at about 2.30 p.m. yesterday after spending about 20 hours in the water.

He told his rescuers that at about 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday a large, freak wave had overturned the boat, causing it to sink about 20 minutes later, after it failed to right itself.

Both Mr. Edness and Mr. Battersbee were believed to have been below deck at the time and unable to escape.

Only Bobby was able to swim free of the boat.

He was picked up by American naval hospital ship USS Comfort, which left Maryland - with 12 operating rooms and more than 900 medical personnel - on Monday heading for duty in the Persian Gulf.

There he was treated for hypothermia and exhaustion, but was otherwise said to be in good condition.

However, last night, it was uncertain when Bobby would be able to return to Bermuda as he had to stay on board the Comfort and will be dropped off at the vessel's first port of call. However, that is classified information.

But his parents said no matter when it was, they would be there to meet their son.

Mr. Lambe Sr. said his son was a professional fishermen and was extremely experienced when it came to the ocean.

He said he was a strong swimmer, so they had been hopeful throughout that he would survive the ordeal.

Mr. Lambe said Bobby had made several fishing trips with both Mr. Edness and Mr. Battersbee, and said the three of them were very experienced and worked well as a team.

He added: "I knew they were going, but they were gone when I got up on Monday morning.

"But I wasn't worries because this was just going to be a routine trip for them. We never thought it would end like this."