schooner plunged into the ocean.

The crewman, employed by local oil tycoon Mr. John Deuss on the schooner Fleurtje , was returning to the boat from St. George's after midnight.

As he made his way across the harbour in an inflatable dinghy, he lost control and fell overboard.

Harbour Radio officers alerted the schooner's crew to the empty inflatable, which was travelling in circles near the vessel. A rescue boat from the Fleurtje quickly picked up the struggling seaman, who was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment.