It was not a case of just frolicking about on the water for James Butterfield and John Wadson last year.

The two local men assisted a whopping 29 boaters who ran into difficulty in Bermuda's inshore waters last summer. Their most dramatic rescue was of the 40-foot yacht Bermuda Princess. She was in danger of running aground in Mangrove Bay last September during Hurricane Karen when Mr. Butterfield's boat Frolic of Bermuda responded by racing across the Great Sound from Hamilton to assist.

Minister of Transport Dr. Ewart Brown yesterday presented the Bermuda Water Safety Council's award of recognition to the two men. “Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Wadson have clearly established themselves as concerned and dedicated members of the boating public,” Dr. Brown said at the presentation.

Mr. Butterfield is the owner and operator of Frolic of Bermuda on which Mr. Wadson is a crew member.

“I can assure you that John and I go out and assist for the love of the water and the marine life,” Mr. Butterfield said yesterday. “I am almost embarrassed to be acknowledged this way.

A humble Mr.Wadson told those gathered that anyone could do what he does. “The more the merrier,” he said.