Fisherman Robert (Bobby) Lambe cheated death for the second time yesterday when he was plucked from treacherous seas off the coast of Bermuda.

The 34-year-old, who miraculously managed to survive a 20-hour ordeal in stormy seas after his fishing vessel New Nuts sank, also had to be rescued in 1997 after another boat sank off the coast of North Carolina.

On August 25, 1997, The Royal Gazette reported how Mr. Lambe, from Beach Estate in Somerset, was with three American tourists on board No Excuses when it began taking on water after hitting submerged debris.

At the time, Mr. Lambe had been hired as a deckhand for the 55 foot US-registered sport fishing boat's return to the US.

But as the boat neared the East Coast, it struck debris beneath the surface and the captain - a businessman from North Carolina - decided they should abandon ship and put out a Mayday call.

They climbed on board a life raft and began to paddle.

At the time, Mr. Lambe said it took about half an hour for the boat to sink, and a US tug boat about eight miles away picked up their Mayday call and went to help.

Mr. Lambe said then: "There was nothing scary. Luckily, it was broad daylight and everybody pretty much knew what they were doing the whole time.

"It wasn't like being woken up in the middle of the night and finding your feet in water. When we got off, we stepped right into a life raft and paddled straight to the ship.

"It was the owner's first time bringing the boat to Bermuda - he was really hurt bad about losing the boat - but his main concern was getting everybody off safely."

On that occasion, Mr. Lambe spent five days on the tug before being dropped off on the Caribbean island of St. Croix, where he spent less than an hour before beginning his air journey home.

On this occasion, after being picked up by American naval hospital ship the US Comfort yesterday, it is uncertain when he will be able to return to Bermuda.

The warship was enroute to the Gulf and would not alter its course, so will drop Mr. Lambe off at its next port of call. However, the destination is classified information.

Back in 1997, Mr. Lambe said the experience had not put him off acting as a crew member on visiting boats.

He said: "These things happen. I'd be quite happy to do it again."