this past weekend after falling from a ladder aboard ship.

Highlighting the US Navy's vital search and rescue role, a US helicopter airlifted the seaman from the supertanker King , located some 100 miles west of Bermuda.

Due to the severity of his injuries it was decided to send a helicopter rather than a slower rescue boat to rendezvous with the ship.

The King was carrying fuel oil from Venezuela to Boston.

The ship's agents, John S. Darrell, reported the injured seaman has been released from hospital and has left the Island by plane.

In other shipping news, Meyer Agencies reported the Somers Isles was back on schedule and fully laden with new and backlogged cargo.

Making her first voyage to Bermuda since breaking down off Florida last month, she carried a bumper load of 131 containers, including eight refrigerated containers and a slew of bulky goods, among them being a truck, 45 bundles of structural and galvanised steel, one hydroseeder, three bundles of pipe and 23 bundles of lumber and plywood.

She arrived Sunday and departed the next day.

Meyer also reported the Bermuda Islander arrived on Monday, one day ahead of schedule, carrying a total of 84 containers including six refrigerated ones.

She left Tuesday for Salem, New Jersey.

The Norwegian-flagged gravel ship Telnes called in St. George's, berthing at Penno's Wharf. She discharged 9,321 tons of gravel for East End Asphalt. She came from Nova Scotia, Canada.

The US Navy supply ship Strong Icelander arrived Saturday from Norfolk, Virginia with cargo for US Naval Air Station.

She sailed the next day.

Container Ship Management reported the Oleander arrived on Sunday with a total of 172 containers, including 138 dry containers, 34 refrigerated ones, three cars, one nitrogen tank and a 40-foot mafi.

HEAVY LOAD -- The Norwegian-flagged gravel ship Telnes discharges 9,321 tons of gravel for East End Asphalt at Penno's Wharf. She came from Nova Scotia, Canada and left yesterday. -- Reuter