A sailor alone on his ketch and suffering from broken ribs yesterday refused to climb aboard a boat which was sent to help him.

Instead, he took some seasickness tablets and insisted on waiting for the Bermuda Islander to come to tow his 43-feet Bandit to safety.

Rescue Coordination Center Norfolk sent the Seven Express to the aid of the sailor, who had taken a tumble aboard his boat about 200 miles north-west of Bermuda, at about 7 a.m. yesterday.

However, he did not want to leave his boat at sea, and last night was said to be awaiting a rendezvous with cargo ship Bermuda Islander, which is making its way from New Jersey to Bermuda, and is due on the Island at 6.30 a.m. tomorrow.